The BEST of the Best

The 2015 BEST (Ballinasloe Entrepreneurial Skills Tournament) Awards ceremony, where the town’s best and brightest young people was held on Tuesday 31st March in Shearwater Hotel. In a marvellous display of entrepreneurial spirit, seven winners were chosen out of 14 finalists, who had already beaten 85 entrants to this year’s competition , The 14 projects were displayed on the night by the students and showed a remarkable high level of creativity and ingenuity from Ballinasloe’s young people. Sponsored by the Ballinasloe Credit Union and organised by the B.A.C.D the competition again this year was deemed a huge success. The prizes awarded on the nights as follows: Overall Winner (€1,000) Katie O'Sullivan - Holy Rosary College Mountbellew Snap&See -3D Lenses Katie developed a clip on 3D lenses similar to clip on sunglasses for use by people who wear glasses. Her idea allows glass wearers use a clip on 3D lens as opposed to trying to fit 3d glasses overt their own glasses. Runner Up (€500) Sally Parsons Ard Schoil Mhiure Dream Clean Duvet Sally developed duvets comprised of individual detachable/re-attachable segments that can be separated and cleaned in domestic washing machines. Prize Winner (€150) Leo White & Tony Finn - Garbally College Lidacan Leo & Tony developed an aluminium can lid for use on drinking cans to stop them spilling over. Prize Winner (€150) Joshua Naughton & Cathal Whyte - Garbally College Hurling Helmet Visor These students recognised the problem of glare for hurlers when playing into the sun. They came up with a neat solution of attaching a visor to the existing helmet. Prize Winner (€150) Hilary Bleahan - Ard Schoil Mhiure Cattle Trailer Harness Hiliary’s business idea was a harness for cattle that is attached to the roof of a trailer, which will prevent cattle falling over in transit. Prize Winner (€150) Rowan Harley -Garbally College Foodnow phone App Rowan developed a take away phone app which has menu's from local food establishments allowing you to order by phone. Prize Winner (€150) Lonan Broderick, Cathal Riddel, Fintan Parsons - Garbally College The Cert An Educational App with games based on Leaving or Junior Cert curriculum.

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