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JERRY KENNELLY HAS been self-employed his whole working life.
And sitting in his office on Dublin’s southside, he sells his passion for selling his passion.
Having sold his stock image company Stockbyte for over €100 million, he currently runs design company Tweak, but wants to pass on his passion for entrepreneurship.
To that end, Kennelly is the co-chair of the Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP).
JEP is a free 12-16 week programme for schoolchildren that is the only initiative that promotes entrepreneurship at primary level. Over the last five years, more than 26,500 national school pupils have already benefitted from the programme.
In his Kerry drawl, Kennelly outlines the importance of teaching children more than just the three Rs.
You can get children to open their minds to their potential. To make them see that it’s not all about working for someone else.
The project is obviously one that is close to Kennelly’s heart. Having grown up the son of a small business owner and starting his own business at 21, Kennelly is a firm believer in creating indigenous industry.
To that, he says, the country has to ensure that children are taught that they can be business owners.
I believe that entrepreneurship is in our DNA. We punch way above our weight internationally. We have an aptitude to make business happen.
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Kennelly has previously told a story of struggling to access credit for Stockbyte, but he understands that is the life of entrepreneur.
“You do have to sacrifice a lot and not everyone is able to that.
“When I’m mentoring people, I always ask them “are you up for it?” because it takes a lot to make it work. It takes an absolutely ridiculous amount of effort to make it work.
“It’s a very hard lifestyle.
“It’s a great lesson in humility!”
Citizenship
So, why not take the fruits of his labour and ride off into the sunset?
Where is the impetus to back children? For Kennelly, it’s about community. His family founded Kerry’s Eye and wrote extensively about the local area.
Allied to that is his admiration for the GAA, which he says “gets to grassroots” in every Irish community.
But mostly, it’s about contributing.
“I’m very proud to be Irish, I’m very proud to make a contribution to my community and other communities around the country along with my colleagues.
That’s what Ireland is all about. It’s just good enough to be a citizen, you’ve got to play a part, too.
“Everyone has to give the skills that they can share.
“I think JEP is a great example of teachers stepping outside their comfort zone.”
This year, 10,000 JEP students had combined sales of €250,000, with profits of €159,000.
“That’s 11- and 12-year-old children.
“If nothing else, it helps them make better informed choices about their own future.”
Applications are now open to all primary schools to participate in the Junior Entrepreneurship Programme 2016/2017. The programme is available nationally and is free for parents, children and schools.
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Presumably Electric Ireland are giving all the featured houses a months free electricity???
Houses from “all around Ireland” yet features houses only in Dublin and Cork. Disappointing
How has the house on the cahir Road to clonmel not got a look in? Not only is it all lit up, but it actually looks tasteful!
That house is gorgeous,every year it’s a shame it didn’t make the list. It’s the highlight of our shopping trips to see that house!
The house on the Clonmel road out of Cahir must be added to the list if not go to the top of it. The house is in a darkish area so looks even more pronounced and stylish. A lot of those on the list appear loud and abrasive – dare I say it.
Come on Journal – stump up the petrol money to see if any of the writers can survive outside of the pale.
Cos it’s not in Dublin/ Cork
Their broadband speed must be terrible.
Dear Journal
Between Dublin and Cork there is land. This land is home to other counties. What may be more surprising is that to the north of Dublin there is yet more land which is home to more counties.
Yours Sincerely
A person from outside Cork or Dublin
Well put.
Yeah but allot of its dark!
That’s not a list – just lazy journalism or even lazier advertising. Sorry most certainly not Journalism
Noonan’s house in Templeglantine, Co. Limerick go all out with their property every year for charity. As mentioned above there is more to Ireland than Dublin and Cork.
Just so people know house number 6 is not decorated this year :-( the man living there I think is in ill health and couldn’t put up the decorations!! really sad for the estate
Such a shame. Hope he’ll be okay. It would be nice if Electric Ireland did something nice for him, such as get his house decorated for him, given he’s still featured in their advertising campaign.
Where in Artane is house number 6?
I once lived in the Brookwood section and that house looked familar
Please take a look at MULDOWNEY CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW in Cobh, Cork We have a static dispaly on from 5-10pm but the main attraction is our PROGRAMMED LIGHT SHOW where, for 20 minutes each night at 7:30pm, our lights dance to music – not only that, we have some features including Frozen, Minions, singing Christmas tree faces (the only of their kind in Ireland) and a special Santa experience at the end of the show! there are free candy canes for the kids every night and donations are optional – all funds going to the Mercy University Hospital Oncology Ward. Since 2012, we have raised just under 15,000e. Please see our promo video – https://www.facebook.com/345884728843279/videos/vb.345884728843279/837059156392498/?type=2&theater
The lower classes love tasteless lights.
That is why they are lower class.
The “lower class” are living in those massive houses in Dalkey? Jesus where are the upper class are living then!?
Honorable mention to that house in Parteen
I’m sure if other home owners post I’m their pics the journal will give them a mention.
Wexford /rosslare road one of the oldest doing it over 20years and all proceeds go to rnli should have been on this, but I guess the journal doesn’t drive past its Dublin boarders and cork office should be ashamed, saying all over Ireland!!!
Artaine house is not lit up yet rumours around the area is its not happening either gutted it’s a great display
If its the one in Elm Mount, I heard its not happening this year.
Thorndale
Rathdrum Road Crumlin!!!!!!!!!!! They light up there house every year, and collect donations for a different charity each year!! This year its cystic fibrosis!!! Santa also greets visitors every night of the 12 days of Christmas!! Well worth a look!! FACEBOOK: JOSIES XMAS LIGHTS
I should do my bathroom the same now I think…
http://jezebel.com/5970944/is-that-a-penis-in-your-front-yard-or-are-you-just-really-excited-for-christmas
Sometimes it goes wrong with too much Christmas decorations??? lol.
I recall this exact same article last year as I remember thinking houses from around the country… Yet only Dublin and cork were featured…. To hear that the house in artane isn’t lit up, nor will be this year highlights the total lazy journalism on here!
Swansnest Avenue, Kilbarrack, Switching on the 11th of Dec.
That’s taking Xmas
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