Limerick students ensure a cúpla

A GROUP of Limerick students are getting an early taste of the business world and reaping the rewards of a greeting card venture — all through Irish.

The five members of Cártaí le Chéile are first- year students of Gael- choláiste Luimnigh which opened its doors just last September.

They have designed and printed cards for every occasion and hope to match their sales success to date when they compete in the Limerick final of the Student Enterprise Awards junior category next week.

“We’ve put in a huge amount of time and effort but it’s beginning to pay off,” said 12-year-old managing director Fionn Ó Tiarnaigh.

“It’s been fun as well and most of us spoke Irish through primary [school] so the language is not a problem,” he said.

The range of cards was presented at a sale in the school in mid-January, when cards from each range sold very well.

Each card is handmade and carries a relevant message in Irish for special occasions such as St Patrick’s Day, Easter, First Communion, Confirmation, Christmas, birthdays and many more events and celebrations.

They have made more than 150 cards already with dozens more on order, and they are being sold for a very competitive 2 to 3.

Business studies teacher Croídhe Ní Ghloinn praised the hard work of the students since the company met for the first time last October.

“They did all the research themselves and came up with the idea when they saw how difficult it was for people to find cards in the Irish language,” she said.

The cards were officially launched at the school this week by Munster rugby star Alan Quinlan on Monday night, when the company availed of the opportunity to sell more of their wares.

All the money raised will be donated to a local charity, the Milford Hospice in Castletroy.

At next week’s Student Enterprise Awards,Cártaí le Chéile will be competing with some of their classmates who formed another company, Kalendersarus.

They have been making calendars with local images and Irish themes and also hope to make a success of their venture.

The students are among just 31 currently enrolled at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh. Cards and calendars can be purchased at the school. Tel: [phone]