Young Kilbeggan entrepreneur represents Westmeath in Croke Park

Kilbeggan native Finn Gannon took centre stage at the Foróige NFTE Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2025, held on 14 May in Croke Park, Dublin.

The event brought together 24 youth-led businesses and over 120 young people from across Ireland who took part in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) programme.

The Westmeath Youth Entrepreneur was a finalist in the Best Business category with his enterprise Wooden It Be Nice - a bespoke woodwork business producing personalised signs, candle holders, and gifts using reclaimed and sustainably sourced materials.

“I’ve always loved working with my hands, and NFTE helped me turn that into a real business,” said Finn. “It’s amazing to see people value something I made - and getting to represent Westmeath at Croke Park has been an incredible experience.”

Finalists at the NFTE Awards were recognised in three national categories: Best Business, Best Innovation, and Best Social Enterprise. While just one winner was announced per category, all participants were celebrated for their passion, innovation and hard work.

Odhrán O’Mahony, Chairperson of Foróige, said “Year after year, NFTE proves just how powerful youth potential really is. The creativity, courage and commitment we’ve seen today is inspiring. Programmes like this don’t just teach business skills—they help young people see themselves differently. They leave believing they have what it takes to shape their own future, and that belief is something they’ll carry with them for life.”

The 2025 NFTE programme reached 6,100 young people across 24 counties, with support from more than 260 trained educators, youth workers and volunteers.