Mayo students praised for success at National Student Enterprise Awards
THE Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Alan Dillon, has congratulated two Mayo schools recognised at the National Student Enterprise Awards, where he addressed a large crowd of students, teachers, Local Enterprise Office representatives and supporters.
The Student Enterprise Programme is Ireland’s largest enterprise programme for secondary schools. In 2024/2025, almost 30,000 students from 500 secondary schools took part, supported through collaboration between state bodies, government departments, local government, schools and teachers.
Two Mayo schools received national awards - St. Muredach’s College, Ballina, and Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh.
Ballina students Gavin Brennan, Cody Devaney Gallagher, Mark Leonard and Cillian Birrane Murray were awarded third place in the senior category for Grademate, an AI-powered platform to grade and provide feedback on student coursework.
Sancta Maria College's Sinead Toland, Daithi McDonald, Kendra Leyva, Anastasia Prepelystia and Deerbhla Cryan Gallagher won the intermediate category best display stand for Clew Bay Crafts.
Said Minister Dillon: “It was a privilege to address such a large and energetic crowd at the National Student Enterprise Awards and to see the creativity and ambition of students from across Ireland.
“I am especially proud to see two Mayo schools recognised nationally. The students from St. Muredach’s College and Sancta Maria College are a credit to their schools, families and communities.”
Minister Dillon also congratulated the teachers, mentors and Local Enterprise Office teams who supported students throughout the programme.