Smooth Remove, a product from Boherbue Comprehensive School in Cork, claimed this year’s top prize at the national final of the Student Enterprise Programme.

The innovation allows for the easy removal of footwear for those who may have back problems or have difficulty bending down to take off their shoes. It also eliminates dirt and is primarily aimed at farmers.

Oisin Geoghegan, chair of the network of local enterprise offices, said: “We are celebrating a year of exciting entrepreneurship that is emerging from all corners of Ireland. We’ve had 26,400 students and 492 schools participating in this year’s programme.”

The national final was composed of 78 companies from schools around the country hoping to impress the judges with their latest entrepreneurial innovations.

Six companies at the event had the agricultural sector as their main marketing target.

Winning products

Growth: a working wormery that produces liquid fertiliser and worm castings from food waste. It was designed by students from Abbey Vocational School Donegal.

Ag innovations:The Ten Lives of Tim - a children’s’ farm safety book - was designed by students from Carrigallen Vocational School, Leitrim.

Safety Harness Attachment: a safety harness attachment designed to prevent suspension trauma designed by students from Desmond College, Newcastlewest, Limerick.

Pure Irish Honey: a honey business established by St Andrew’s College, Dublin, student Callum Scanlon.