Local Enterprise Office Tipperary have announced that student entrepreneurs from CBS Thurles, St. Joseph’s Borrisoleigh and Rockwell College will represent Tipperary at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Final on Thursday 8th May.
The students all took part in the Tipperary Final on Friday 7th March 2025 as part of LEO Tipperary’s Local Enterprise week, which was held at the TUS Thurles Campus. An estimated 2,155 students from twenty-five (25) schools took part in the annual programme locally.
The enterprise education initiative, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities throughout the country, saw over 28,000 students from schools across the country take part in 2024 / 2025. The programme supports students to create, design and market their own business, all with the hope of reaching the National Final.
CBS Thurles will be busy in their national final preparation as their students are representing LEO Tipperary in the Junior Category and the Intermediate Category under the stewardship and guidance of their teacher Mr. Fergus O’Brien. Paul Brett and Noah Hackett of CBS Thurles with their business NP Medal and Key Holders and students Patrick Carr and Cathal O’Gorman with their business Everything Dogs.
In the Senior Category of the competition, Tipperary will be represented by Rockwell College’s Studytok and business owners Sean Cahill and Paddy Corcoran with help from their teacher Mr. David Collins.
A new category added this year to recognise concept ideas will be represented by student Liam Hackett with his amazing concept business BITFIT of St Joseph’s Borrisoleigh being assisted by his teacher Ms. Michelle Kelly.
Patrician Secondary School Fethard picked up the Overall School Award on the day, congratulations Mr. Ian O’Connor. A big thank you to Coláiste Mhuire students who helped us on the day keeping everyone on time and where they were supposed to be.
The AIB Entrepreneurial Award went to MCMH Crafts, Cormac Kennedy, Micheal Shanahan, Harry McKeogh and Michael Healy of Newport College.
Sustainability awards sponsored by Tipperary Green Business Network winners were, Junior Category, M.E. Crafts Eve Metcalfe, Morgan O’Gorman, St. Mary’s Nenagh, Intermediate Category, Bookworms
Keevah Morris, Olivia Looby, Ella Groome St. Josephs College Borrisoleigh, and Senior Category Gleoite, Lucy Brett, Katie Gleeson, St. Mary’s Nenagh.
Special guests at the Tipperary Final included Cathaoirleach Cllr. Declan Burgess, Gary Fox, The Entrepreneur Experiment, Head of Enterprise Anthony Fitzgerald, Cathal O’Brien Student Entrepreneur OB Sportwear ERSS Carrick on Suir and PR Pam Social Media Host/TV Presenter and Winner Best Documentary City of Angels Film Festivel 2023, Cannes World Film, DISFMF.
Speaking at the county final, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Declan Burgess congratulated the students, saying “a massive thank you goes to the teachers and mentors who have supported students on this journey. Their guidance has helped spark the entrepreneurial spirit that we’re all celebrating today. They have shown that learning isn't just about textbooks—it's about taking risks, trying new things and learning from every experience”. He went on to say “that the businesses on show here today are a fantastic reminder that young people have the power to shape the future and advised students to keep pushing boundaries, stay curious and never stop dreaming big. Every great business starts with a bold idea and they are already well on their way to achieving great things”.
The local students will be competing against hundreds of other student entrepreneurs from all over Ireland at the Student Enterprise Programme National Final, taking place in the Mullingar Park Hotel on the 8th May.
Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, students learn key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business. The Student Enterprise Programme also has new range of online resources at www.StudentEnterprise.ie, which will feature regular blogs and houses a full range of Student Enterprise resources for students and teachers.
Further information around the Student Enterprise Programme is available from www.studententerprise.ie and by searching #studententerprise on social media.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Local Enterprise Office Tipperary
Tina Mulhearne, Tipperary County Council, LEO Tipperary 086 8364645tina.mulhearne@tipperarycoco.ie
