Kerry Schools Shine at 2025 Junior Entrepreneur Programme Awards

Knocknagoshel NS Named Class of the Year While Cromane NS Celebrates Community Spirit

Two Kerry primary schools have done the county proud, taking top honours at this year’s Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP) Awards 2025, which celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship in classrooms across the island of Ireland.

Knocknagoshel National School claimed the overall Class of the Year Award, the highest accolade in the nationwide programme. Their award-winning project, The Mall Market, is a brilliant example of young people responding to a local need — and making a real impact.

When the village’s only shop closed, the pupils from 3rd to 6th class (aged 9 to 13) came up with the idea of a weekly grocery subscription service to support the community. Using local produce and homemade goods, they created a practical and thoughtful solution that has made life easier for many residents, particularly older people.

Watch to Hear the Full Details of the Project.

A Business with Heart

The children sourced produce such as milk, soda bread, eggs, cheese and homemade apple tarts from local suppliers across Kerry and West Limerick. The soda bread is even baked in the local community centre. Orders quickly came flooding in, and with the project outgrowing the school, the pupils relocated their operations to the community hall just up the road.

They set up a Thursday afternoon collection point and also hand-delivered boxes to elderly residents. The class partnered with Knocknagoshel Meals on Wheels to reach even more people in rural areas. In just eight weeks, the business turned a profit of €1,000, which the children used to fund a well-earned school tour.

Commenting on the impact of the project, school principal and class teacher, Kate McSweeney said 

“The learning has been immense, from the practical application of skills like maths, oral language and  written communication to the development of technology skills and interpersonal skills, and learning to work successfully as a team. They take huge pride in the project - It's theirs - they've taken it on, and really and truly, it's hard to believe that these are third to sixth class students when you see what they've done - and it's all down to the children. They've done such a fantastic job”.

Pupil Ryan Collins added:

“I’m very proud of all my classmates for all the work and effort they put into The Mall Market. It’s great for the whole community.”

Cromane Wins for Community Spirit

There was more good news for Kerry with Scoil Réalt na Mara in Cromane awarded the Community Champions Award. Their project, Cromane – A Place We Call Home, saw 4th and 5th class pupils create a 100-page local history book filled with interviews, photos, illustrations and stories from older generations. The children researched, compiled and illustrated a 100-page local history book that is an authentic celebration of their home place. They gathered stories from grandparents, researched local landmarks, scoured the locality for old photographs and created colourful illustrations.

The book proved hugely popular, selling out its first print run and even being added to the local library service. It’s also now being used as a learning resource in the school’s history lessons.

The Community Champions Award recognises the efforts of pupils who forge strong connections and make a positive impact at the community level. Their activities serve as a reminder of what can be achieved when community priorities are placed at the forefront of business. 

A Proud Kerry Legacy

The Junior Entrepreneur Programme was first launched in Kerry in 2010 and is based at the RDI Hub Killorglin. It’s now a national initiative with over 10,000 pupils taking part in the 2024–25 school year alone. Thousands of Irish entrepreneurs have mentored 5th and 6th class primary school pupils while they create and launch mini businesses in their schools. Children are inspired by local entrepreneurs invited to the classroom to share their stories. 

The programme gives children a hands-on opportunity to explore the world of enterprise, develop practical skills and work together on real-world projects. Marie Lynch, co-founder and Managing Director of JEP, said:

“JEP has become a rite of passage for children in primary schools. They pool their skills and talents to turn an idea into reality and experience real-world success. They forge deeper bonds with each other, and, for many, it is the highlight of their primary school years”.     

Enterprise Ireland has supported JEP since 2020 under its Primary Schools Entrepreneurship Initiative, highlighting the vital role of entrepreneurship in shaping Ireland’s future and the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial culture from an early age.

Coolard National School & Caherleaheen National School particpiated in the 2025 JEP.

Kerry Leading the Way

The 2025 awards featured projects from over 200 schools, with categories ranging from digital innovation and product design to sustainability, health and finance. Kerry’s double win is a strong reminder of what young people can achieve when they’re given the opportunity — and of the incredible support that exists in our local communities.

Congratulations to Knocknagoshel NS and Scoil Réalt na Mara, and to all participating Kerry schools, teachers, families and local businesses who helped bring these projects to life.

Learn more about the Junior Entrepreneur Programme at www.juniorentrepreneur.ie 

Schools that complete the programme can enter their projects into the JEP awards. Twelve different Category Awards focus on key aspects of the programme, including creativity, teamwork, marketing and finance, as well as important themes such as health, community, sustainability, technology, and social impact.

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