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A COMPUTER CODING class for children, apps that help people with communication difficulties, and classes for young people to build self-confidence have shared the top prizes at the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland awards tonight.
Coder Dojo, Neuro Hero and Soar were awarded the top prize of €200,000 each to support their projects aimed at changing Irish society.
Seán Coughlan , the CEO of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, said that the ideas were helping to provide solutions to some of the big challenges Ireland faces.
Five other social entrepreneurs each received €35,000 each for their work. These winners were George Boyle of Fumbally Exchange, Lucy Masterson of Hireland, Trevor White of City of a Thousand Welcomes, Emma Murphy of The Turning Institute and Claire Murphy and Rachel Cassen of Leap.
“Ireland cannot afford to ignore these social entrepreneurs and their ideas because, given the right support and investment, they can provide solutions to some of the big challenges our country faces,” said Seán Coughlan. “The benefits on offer to Ireland Inc are both economic and social”.
Since it launched in 2005, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has invested €4.9 million in projects designed to help change Irish society.
James Whelton of Coder Dojo
Coder Dojo started as an after-school computer club to teach young people how to code, filling a gap that wasn’t been met by schools. Since then, it has expanded around Ireland and the world, teaching young people how to develop websites, apps, games and more. James Whelton, the 20-year-old founder was honoured at the Dublin Web Summit yesterday for his work.
Tony Griffin and Karl Swan of Soar
Set up by former Clare hurling star Tony Griffin and Karl Swan, Soar aims to promote self-confidence and leadership skills in young people, inspired bythe charity set up by the late Jim Stynes in Australia. Soar’s programmes are being rolled out in primary and secondary schools around the country and aim to support and encourage teenagers.
Aviva Cohen of Neuro Hero
Neuro Hero is a support pack for people who have been affected by a reduced ability to communicate due to impairments such as brain injury or intellectual disability. It provides a series of web apps for mobile devices and PCs which gives therapeutic and communication activities, as well as carer support tool and education materials for families of people affected.
Don’t have the space for skyscrapers. Seriously? We don’t have as much sky as others??
We don’t have space in the minds of The planning board.
They have plenty of space between their ears
More like bord plonker and an taishe are unfit for purpose with no imagination
McElroy, Harrington, Clarke , McDowell – where you sick the day golf was being a topic – all those majors ! No mention
McGregor punched above his weight and got destroyed
Ha ha 60 g’s was flattened into 50 cents that night.
Bullshitting about what a great little country we are.
‘Designing with style’, you’re taking the p*ss. Shocking what Sam Stephenson was allowed to get away with, one vile building after another. Wasn’t he an associate of a former taoiseach? Wonder did that have anything to do with it!
Camogie
We’re in our death throes as a nation, mass uncontrolled immigration facilitated by EU puppets in Dail Eireann. No intrinsic sovereignty, indefinite debt for generations to come, and sexual and familial morality flushed down the toilet, with a thing calling itself Panti Bliss being lionised as a cultural icon, we truly have lost our way. RIP Ireland.
Don’t you think, given the calibre of the current political ruling class in Ireland who are so clearly demonstrating their petty, backyard, self-serving attitude to this country, that we should be glad there is at least someone keeping a check on them? Can you imagine the state of the place if they had total free rein?
If anything is dragging the nation down it’s small minded whingers like you.
Get over yourself.
Phil – you admire our politicians then?
… and liberal ****’s like you are part of the problem, Phil in the Blancs.
I was inclined to agree, reluctantly, with your assessment of our politicians, but then your comment degenerated into a homophobic rant.
No, just observations.
We need to stop the illusion of this punching above our weight. That’s what caused the recession.
Agree 33. We think we’re great! And have the finest scenery in the world. Yet, we’ve seen more paedophile clergy, corrupt politicians and dishonest bankers than most…
We’re great at thinking we’re great.
Well Ger then do “punch above our weight” – for corruption and political ass licking.
Let’s be honest, a university degree isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on anymore. It’s all about the masters now.
@Peter, nah, still about experience
That’s true to some extent, but it is also about the quality of the degree. Unlike that glorified event organiser might think, a 2.2 from Trinity isn’t all that.
I fully agree , students studying masters at 22-25 – how can anyone apart from Rory McElroy claim to be a master st that age
A proven ability to do a job is worth a lot to me
World class rugby delusions and notions
Lord Kelvin, an Irishman?
The world’s biggest collection of muppets all in 1 place on kildare st
Sad that GAA sports – hurling and football – never exported, and are only played here and by a few emigrants.
We certainly punch above our weights when if comes to economic collapses…Great Ireland isn’t a title we’d accept as unashamedly as our near neighbours.
What about William Ronan Hamilton under the scientists list.
Ballbagery!
We’re world class at internet commenters telling us we’re shite!
Proud to be a graduate of DCU
We hold our own in world company in the field of self-contempt.
I have a nice big field in Connemara.
There is plenty of room for a mile-high skyscraper there.
All reasonable offers for the field will be considered.
Check out what Origin Irish theatre are doing in New York
None of the above.
The fact that Enda Kenny is like a dog with a bone for Irish Water i wonder has he already promised it to YOU KNOW WHO!!!!!!!!!!
It is true that Ireland has churned out some good artists, sports stars and achedemics. However, where’s any indigenous industry. It’s a true shame that people are our biggest export. Before we pat ourselves on the back for bonos achievements, let’s have a bit of perspective.
Lord Kelvin. Yes, as Irish as Ian Paisley.
Doesn’t say much for Dublin Business School sponsoring this guff.
Born in Belfast. Buried in Westminster Abbey. And a genius.
Kelvin was famous for saying that everything worth discovering had already been discovered in Physics.
Shortly afterwards Einstein and Quantum Physics blew all known Physics apart.
He would NOT have regarded himself as one of the “mere Irish”…….perish the thought.
The central bank is designing with style?
Katie!
Irish show jumpers. Do not think they punch above their weight. But they set a very high standard.
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