Katie Walsh pictured at the County Final of the Kerry County Council Annual Student Enterprise Awards which was held on Friday 13th March 2026 at MTU Tralee. Photo: Michelle Breen CreanTHE National Final of the Student Enterprise Awards was held in Mullingar Park Hotel on Thursday and two Kerry students excelled and took National Awards.
Intermediate Category entrant “Eyes For All” – a booklet offering advice and support in education for the visually impaired, from Castleisland Community College won the Greg Fry Shining Star Award. This company was set up by Katie Walsh a second year student at Castleisland Community College.
Lucy O’Brien a third year student from Killorglin Community College won the Start Up Stories competition in the Intermediate Category with her with her entrepreneurial story Lucy Bakes – homemade treats.
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.Junior entrant “Stella Sprays” from Intermediate School Killorglin and senior entrant “Duckers Designs” from St. Brendan’s College Killarney also took part in the National Competition.
Caitriona Py Collins, Schools Mentor and Co-Ordinator, said; “I am delighted for the schools, the students, their teachers and parents. It is a notable achievement for a Castleisland Community College and Killorglin Community College to bring home two National Awards – this competition has over 16,000 entrants across six different categories so it is a great outcome. I must commend the teachers Áine Culloty, Grace O’Sullivan, Orla Courtney and Sarah Keane for their hard work and dedication and my fellow mentor Paola Kennedy for her support.”
Margaret Murphy, Kerry Programme Coordinator emphasised “This was a very strong programme in 2026 requiring extensive work by students, teachers, mentors and staff. The results are evident with two National Awards.”
