Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair's bright sparks to represent Ireland on European stage
Their mini company, Eco-Paws, is an environmentally friendly pet bed company founded by Danielle Ní Fhearraigh, Molly Nic Giolla Chomhaill, Fia Nic Giolla Chomhaill and Brianna Ní Fhearraigh
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair will represent Ireland at this year’s European Junior Achievement Company of the Year Competition 2025, which will take place in Athens.
The school won top prize at this year’s Clár na gComhlachtaí national final at the Connemara Coast Hotel, Co Galway, earlier this month, following regional finals in February.
Clár na gComhlachtaí is a joint venture between Údarás na Gaeltachta and Junior Achievement Ireland. This year, 476 Transition Year students from Gaeltacht regions in Cork, Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Mayo, Meath, and Waterford competed to develop and present their mini-company projects.
Their mini company, Eco-Paws, is an environmentally friendly pet bed company founded by four students - Danielle Ní Fhearraigh, Molly Nic Giolla Chomhaill, Fia Nic Giolla Chomhaill and Brianna Ní Fhearraigh. They were guided by their teacher, Ms Eimear Nic Ghlionn.
The beds are made from recycled rubber tyres, which are waste tyres that have been sourced from local garages to create a product that is durable and comfortable.
“A fabric pet bed might cost anything up to €120,” Molly tells DonegalLive. “Within a few days the bed would be destroyed by your pet.
“We all have pets in the group and would see the damage our dogs would do to things such as pet beds after we would come home from school. We wanted to create a solution to that problem and make a durable bed that would last a lot longer.
“We also wanted to create a product which had a solution to another problem, so that was to reduce the number of tyres being burnt.”
Priced between €20 and €50, Eco-Paws beds offer a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for pet owners. The product has received a lot of attention online for its practicality and design, with legendary singer-songwriter Daniel O’Donnell even promoting the company online.
The students were mentored by teacher Ms Nic Ghlionn, who played a key role in supporting their journey.
“For it to come down to four students from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair to represent Ireland at the European final is a massive privilege,” she says. “We hope to make Ireland proud at the European finals.”
The school community is proud of the students’ achievements and is hopeful the group will continue their success on the European stage in the Greek capital from July 1 to 4.