Irish Students from a small Gaeltacht town join the list of European students heading to Greece for the JA Europe Company of the Year Finals in July.
FORBACHA, CO. GALWAY – 10 April 2025 – A team of second level students from the small Gaeltacht district of Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal is preparing to take their environmentally-conscious business idea from the rugged Wild Atlantic Way all the way to Athens this summer, after being crowned All-Ireland Gaeltacht Entrepreneurial Champions.
The Gaeltacht refers to regions in Ireland where the Irish language (Gaeilge) is the primary spoken language of the community. These culturally rich areas are vital to preserving Ireland’s linguistic heritage and are supported through dedicated educational, economic, and community initiatives.
Clár na gComhlachtaí – a joint initiative between Junior Achievement Ireland Údarás na Gaeltachta – aims to empower students in Gaeltacht schools with hands-on entrepreneurial experience, while promoting the use of the Irish language in business contexts.
Students from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair claimed the top prize with their innovative company, Eco-Paws, which turns recycled rubber tyres into sustainable pet beds – a product that is waterproof, durable, cost-effective, and eye-catching.
Now, the young team – made up of Danielle Ní Fhearraigh, Fia Nic Giolla Chomhaill, Brianna Ní Fhearraigh, and Molly Nic Giolla Chomhaill, under the guidance of their teacher Eimear Nic Ghloinn – will represent Ireland at the JA Europe Company of the Year Competition, Gen_E, in Athens this July, marking a significant moment for both their school and the wider Donegal Gaeltacht.
The win is the first-ever national title for Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair in the competition’s history – a major achievement for the students and their tight-knit community in northwest Donegal, one of Ireland’s most remote Irish-speaking areas.
This year’s Clár na gComhlachtaí programme saw participation from over 450 transition year students across Gaeltacht regions including Cork, Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Meath, Waterford and Donegal. Eight standout teams advanced to the National Final, showcasing impressive innovation, teamwork and entrepreneurial flair.
Commenting on the competition, judges Sinéad Ní Fhatharta of Údarás na Gaeltachta and Cathal Groonell of Iasc Mara praised the “exceptionally high standard” of all finalists, noting that selecting a winner had been no easy task. The Runner-Up prize went to Blas Chonamara from Coláiste na bPiarsach, Ros Muc (Co. Galway), while FRÁMA from Gairmscoil Chú Uladh (Co. Donegal) received the Judges’ Choice award for their bee-keeping business idea.
Last year’s Clár na Comhlachtaí champions, Glan go Glas from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle, Co. Kerry, made an impressive mark on the international stage, securing First Runner-Up in the JA Europe Gen_E 2024 Awards in Catania, Sicily. Competing against 313 of Europe’s top young entrepreneurs, they showcased the strength of Irish innovation and enterprise.
Speaking about the competition, Dearbháil Ní Chualáin, Director of Enterprise and Employment at Údarás na Gaeltachta commented: “This competition is an invaluable opportunity for young people to present their business ideas to each other and to the wider community. However, we see it as more than just a competition – their time at the University of Galway is a key part of their educational journey, and the skills they develop over these two days will stay with them as they progress in their studies and careers.”
As Eco-Paws prepares to take the European stage in Athens, their journey from a close-knit Irish-speaking community in Donegal to the heart of Europe’s business innovation spotlight stands as a powerful example of how big ideas can come from even the smallest towns.
