Third-level Limerick students show their business prowess at showcase

THREE Mary Immaculate College students were among more than 70 entrepreneurs from nine Irish universities taking part in a special business showcase.

Bachelor of education students Tomás Fitzpatrick and Oisín Flynn, co-founders of ChessIreland, and first-year Bachelor of arts student Diarmuid Mangan, the founder of DT Media, flew the flag for the South Circular Road college at the Student Inc 2025 Showcase.

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The event, which took place at the Munster Technical University’s campus in Cork is aimed at students who want to turn their ideas into viable businesses.

Over 13 weeks, the entrepreneurs have been honing their business skills.

Tomás said: The programme helped us sharpen our business model and prepare to bring structured chess education into classrooms across Ireland.”

His co-founder Oisín added: “Through Student Inc. we’ve been able to develop ChessIreland into a scalable business, gain valuable mentorship, and connect with a network that will help us introduce chess to thousands of Irish schoolchildren.”

Diarmuid’s DT Media project also gained momentum over the summer, building on his vision to expand digital media services in the student and youth sector.

Patricia O’Sullivan, Mary Immaculate College’s enterprise manager said: “What each of the businesses have achieved in such a short space of time is remarkable.”