Today was an eventful one at IT Tallaght as they held the annual South Dublin Enterprise Awards. Schools from throughout South Dublin came to showcase some of their entrepreneurial skills with some of the most amazing creations on display.

The awards are proudly sponsored by The Square Towncentre, The Echo, Castlecomer Discovery Park, Partas and Nic and Ali and are a highly anticipated event on the school calendar. From arts and crafts to feel good frames, jewellery, cards and food there was something for everyone to enjoy.

As the IT Tallaght halls displayed all the entrants the students and teachers all got a chance to see their competitors and speak to others about their ideas. There were three categories beginning with the Junior, then the Intermediate, finishing up with the Senior category.

The Square Towncentre who has sponsored the event for a number of years presented the Social Media award in all three categories. Each winner was presented by the Square’s Commercial Manager Cathryn McMenamy with a Square Gift Card and a medal on their excellent achievement.

First up in the Junior Category and winner of the Social Media Award was Tara De Breit whose business was Tara Crafts. Tara who is a student from Coláiste de hÍde told us all about her business;

“My idea was based on sowing because I was really passionate about it. I decided to do bunting and I’m just delighted to have won”

Up next was the Social Media winner of the Intermediate category which saw Erica Flynn of St Josephs College takes home the award for her business Languages for Life. Erica told us how she came up with the idea after participating in this event last year;

“My project was Irish and French grammar books to help people learn the language for their Junior Cert and Leaving Cert. The idea came about last year when I was here with my other project and someone said I should incorporate Irish into it too”

Last but by no means least was the final award from The Square which was in the Senior Category and that went to a very innovative group of students from Pobailscoil Iosolde for their business Be Positive Quote Frames.

The team which included Emily Ayodeji, Susan Isikalu, Stacey Lodia, Allannah O’ Connor and Sean Doyle. We spoke to Emily who told us how shocked she was to be named the winner;

“I kept saying all day that we weren’t going to win it. Our business is all about being positive and we have frames that have quotes in the that do just that”

Congratulations to all the winners on the day. If we have learned anything from today it is that Ireland certainly has some impressive young entrepreneurs coming in the future!