The NFTE All Island Youth Entrepreneurship Graduation & Awards 2011 Ceremony took place at The Helix, DCU, on Thursday May 5th 2011. Young people have been competing over the last number of months in schools and youth centres throughout Dublin, Belfast, Limerick, Thurles and Donegal as part of the 2011 Youth Entrepreneurship Awards.


Overall 700 young street smart go-getters were honoured for their participation in the NFTE Entrepreneurship Education Programme this year. Ruth Scott was the host for the day did a fantastic job of keeping the energy levels high! Caroline Casey from Kanchi was the guest speaker and blew everyone away with her inspirational story of how she overcame serious obstacles to achieve her dreams.


Adrian Devane, CEO of Babógbaby sponsored the overall Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Cash prize of €500 which was won by 18 year old Kyle McMahon for his business "Kyles Wood Crafts". Kyle attends Bonnybrook Youthreach in Coolock, Dublin 17 and it was at Youthreach that Kyle first became interested in woodwork. Through the NFTE Programme Kyle turned this passion into a successful business, securing the winning title after a successful elevator pitch to a panel of judges on the morning of the event.

Judges on the day included Bobby Kerr, CEO of Insomnia, Linda Keating, Director of the Marie Keating Foundation, John Cahil, Assistant CEO of Foróige, Patricia Callan, Director of the SFA (Small Firms Association), Adrian Devane, CEO of Babógbaby and Frank O'Keeffe, Partner with Ernst & Young.

The event kicked off at 10am with a student trade fair where nearly 40 businesses showcased their products to the attending guests. All were impressed with the quality and variety of products displayed. After graduation the students and guests were treated to a different kind of showcase - The Moore School of Performing Arts (from Skerries) wowed the audience with their 60 strong Glee Medley.


Congratulations to all who participated in the 2011 NFTE All Island Youth Entrepreneurship Graduation & Awards Ceremony.

Click here to see Media Coverage on TV3 News

Kyle McMahon, (Kyles Woodcrafts), Bonnybrook Youthreach, Coolock, Dublin 17    




Runners up

Ciaran Byrne, (C B Framework), Chanel College, Coolock, Dublin 5    
Ian Lee, Luke Madden, (Personal Touch) St Davids CBS, Artane, Dublin 5    
Ciara Ní Dhuibhir and Kayleigh Dorney (Eco Couture) Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Thurles, Co.Tipperary    
Eoin Ferguson, Thomas Boyle, (Shattersports) Education By Choice, Belfast    
Niamh Kelly & Orlaith Mc Nulty, (Oven Glove Bakery) Foróige, Dungloe, Co. Donegal    


Second Place National Finalists


Craig Forbes, (Forbes Graphics) Chanel College, Coolock, Dublin 5
Anudari Ganzorig, Nadine O'ConnorIt's (It's All Good) Mount Carmel, Dublin 1
Dylan White, Jamie Austin, (DJ Canvases)  Greenhills, Dublin 12    
Lisa Marie Schaerich, (Kundstecke) Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Co. Tipperary    
Matthew Thompson, George Keenan,Courtney Smith, Debra Donnan, (Essential By Choice) Education By Choice, Belfast 
Niamh McGroary, (Babysitters Guide) Foróige, Donegal Town    



Merit Winners


Megan Burke, Emma Browne, (Fashion Cups) Colaiste Dhulaigh, Coolock, Dublin 17    
Daniel Murphy, Gavin Halpin, Andrew Livington, (Events 4U) Drimnagh Castle, Dublin 12    
Ellen Swan, Laura Flood, (Swag) St Dominics Cabra, Dublin 7    
Dara Strutt, Sally Curran, (Choose Our Chunes) St Dominics Cabra, Dublin 7    
Jesicca Corbally, (Vintage Boho) St Marys Holyfaith, Glasnevin, Dublin 9    
Mairead Cutliffe & Hannah Conlon,(H & M Home Baking) Foróige, Falcarragh, Co. Donegal    
Mathias Butul, (Cake Cutters) Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed, Thurles Co. Tipperary    




Junior Category

Sean Keegan & Wayne Carruth, (Munchie Chip Cookies), St Peters Primary School, Greenhills, Dublin 12    
Nicole Cleary & Ruthanne O Doherty,(R & N Designs), Foróige Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal     



Social Entrepreneur

Ethan Mc Mullan & Shane Mc Guinness, (The De Fib Locators), Foróige Killybegs, Co. Donegal    


Alumni Category

Lauren McSharry, (Laurens Home Baking), Foróige Killybegs, Co. Donegal


International Student of the Year

Jade Nolan, (Fashionators), Whitechurch Youth Development Project, Ballyboden, Dublin 16
Second Place - Johnathon and Gavin Cuminskey, (Teach Na hEin), Greenhills Dublin 12    



International Teacher of the Year