200 people from across County Carlow gathered in IT Carlow this week (24/11/2010) for the third Annual Student Concept Competition hosted by Carlow CEB & IT Carlow in association with Carlow Local Authorities, Seven Oaks Hotel, Dolmen Hotel & Talbot Hotel. The competition, aimed to inspire creativity among young people by creating product designs for the future, is now in its third year. The programme is unique to County Carlow Enterprise Board who has 8 Student Enterprise Programmes, catering for more than 2500 students across primary, second & third level educational institutions across the County.

Introducing the awards Michael Kelly CEO of Carlow County Enterprise Board said that “he was extremely hearten by the innovation and creativity demonstrated by the 20 finalists , and that this confirmed the benefits of introducing entrepreneurship to as young a group as possible where uncluttered minds can be at their most creative.

The competition was divided into 2 categories and the overall winner of the Senior category was Eva Byrne from Coláiste Eoin, Hacketstown with her invention the page support. The winner of the Junior section was Shane Murphy from St Brigid's National School, Bagenalstown with The Zip Off, Zip On Duvet Cover. Overall 20 prizes were presented with a total prize fund of Euro 2000 sponsored by Carlow CEB & Carlow Local Authorities, with 3 teacher prizes sponsored by the Seven Oaks Hotel, Talbot Hotel & Dolmen Hotel. Full details of the competition can be found on the Carlow CEB Facebook Page.

Senior Category Winner at Awards Cermony

Junior Category Winner with Karen O'Sullivan (Judge) , William Patton & Michael P. Kelly