Hundreds of young businesswomen were in a festive and enterprising spirit today at the Loreto Letterkenny Christmas Trade Fair. 

The Loreto Letterkenny secondary school gym was transformed into a thriving craft and food fair this Thursday as 64 mini companies presented beautiful seasonal stock.

Festive music and wonderful smells of sweet treats, pancakes, crepes and popcorn filled the room. Students put on their best Christmas accessories and face paints and showed great enthusiasm for their homemade products.

Loreto Letterkenny Teachers: L-R: Ms Geraldine Griffin, Ms Elaine Gallagher, Ms Siobhan McKeague, Ms Maureen Gallagher, Ms Mairead Boyle, Ms Nicole McLaughlin and Ms Lisa McGowan

This is the first year of the Loreto Christmas Trade Fair, which was coordinated by teachers Ms Boyle and Ms McGowan.

It was the culmination of two months’ work for the participating first, second, Transition and fifth-year students. The students worked with their Business Studies and Mini-Company teachers to design small enterprises, create homemade gifts and plan sales strategies for the big day.

Trade Fair judges Bank of Ireland Letterkenny Branch Manager Jimmy Stafford and Lucia McCauley, BOI Youth Co-Ordinator with Loreto Letterkenny students.

Bank of Ireland Letterkenny Branch Manager Jimmy Stafford and Lucia McCauley, BOI Youth Co-Ordinator visited all stalls to judge the students’ business skills. Winners were chosen based on the best display of enterprise.

The school hall was decked with impressive decorations provided by Erin Kelly and all the team at Homebase Letterkenny. Free tea and coffee was provided for guests in the Constance centre, where delicious cakes were sponsored by Highland Bakery.

The whole school community was invited to browse the market, with teachers, parents and the public all welcome to shop the collections. After the success of today, it is hoped that the school can build on the event and welcome even more guests to enjoy the festivities in the years to come.

Check out a selection of the stalls and stock on sale in the gallery below:

Photos by Rachel McLaughlin, Donegal Daily