Sixteen groups participated in the Dundalk Cross-Border Student Enterprise Trade Fair held in the Marshes Shopping Centre last Friday.

This was an event organised by young people with the motivation of show-casing to the public the entrepreneurial flair of secondary school students, while encouraging links between young people on both sides of the border through enterprise.

The Event was organised by Ace Events, an Events Management group in Dundalk Grammar School, and attracted participants from De La Salle, Dundalk Grammar, St Vincent’s, Dun Lughaidh, Inver College Carrickmacross, and St. Patrick’s College Dungannon.

The participating students, drawn from junior, transition year, and senior classes, put on a good show, impressing the passing public, not only with the quality of their products and services, but also with their own personal presence and presentation. These were students who were proud of what they had achieved, and passionate about the products and services they had created as part of their mini-company enterprises. It wasn’t all about making profit, with a number of groups promoting their social enterprises with their aim to raise awareness and make money for their chosen charities. It seemed the public were only too willing to oblige these committed students.

If that wasn’t enough, Luke’s Cafe, the student Cafe, were offering all manner of toasted sandwiches and cakes for those who wanted to sit and chat. Ruth McGahon, the busy Manager of this Catering enterprise, was thrilled that her 14 member company was getting the opportunity to run their Cafe in the Marshes. To judge from the custom they received, the public seemed happy that they were given the opportunity.

Rachel O’Brien, manager of the organising Ace Events Management group, was equally thrilled that all the hard work had paid off. The planning put in to bringing all aspects of the Event together would have done justice to the best professional Events Management group in the country. The 17 member group really put it together on the day.

Ace Events and Luke’s Cafe are two Transition Year enterprises operating as part of the Hospitality and Events Management Course in Dundalk Grammar School. Ace Events wish to thank Marshes SC for hosting the Event, in particular Aoife Kerley and Willie Dunne; Michael Gaynor, President Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, and Orla Hayes, Marketing Director Carrickdale and Canal Court Hotels, who gave their time to judge participating groups; and all who gave sponsorship and support to the Event.

Following judging, awards were presented as follows:

Best Overall and Visiting Company: Epistep St. Patrick’s College Dungannon
Best Stall Presentation: Cute As A Button Dun Lughaidh
Best Marketing: Better Bites De La Salle
Most Innovative Product: Bosque Beats De La Salle
Best Salesperson: Inver College Carrickmacross

View more photographs from the event in the Gallery Section on the website.