By Cahal McAuley

Copyright kilkennypeople

Michael O’Keefe from St Kieran’s College was acknowledged by Kilkenny County Council for his achievement of coming in first place in the intermediate category at this year’s Student Enterprise Programme National Finals. The intermediate category comprises second and third year students with Michael winning the national competition for setting up a business called Suet and Song, which markets nutrient-rich suet cakes that provide sustenance for a variety of birds during the colder months. READ NEXT: Kilkenny welcome influential European delegates to city for talks In total, over 30,000 students from all over the country entered the competition and Michael received a warm reception from councillors as he brought his trophy to the chamber before a Strategic Policy Committee meeting. Chairperson of the committee, Cllr Michael Doyle gave his congratulations saying it was “hard to get out of the county finals let alone win the national competition”. Mayor John Coonan echoed these sentiments saying it was “really deserved” and that “achievement doesn’t just happen, it’s brought about”, before Michael said a few words thanking everyone who helped him get his business off the ground from the Local Enterprise Offices to teachers at St Kieran’s. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS