Seven young business executives picked up "Irish Permanent Young Manager of the Year Award" accolades yesterday at a prize ceremony in Dublin which recognised individuals with excellent business acumen.

The prize winners were: Ms Una Harrington, St Mary's Secondary School, Charleville, Co Cork (sales and marketing); Ms Annette Fitzgerald, Loreto College, Fermoy, Co Cork (production); Ms Mairead Wilson, Loreto College, Fermoy, Co Cork (company secretary); Ms Michelle Grimes, Our Lady's Secondary School, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan (achiever); Ms Karen McEvoy, Colaiste Eoin, Finglas, Dublin (managing director); Ms Susan Ryan, Loreto College, Cavan (finance); and Ms Aoife Murphy, Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, Co Cork (personnel).

The awards, which are open to both male and female transition year students, identify individuals who have demonstrated excellent business acumen in directing the performance of a company set up while participating in the Young Enterprise Ireland company programme. The winners were chosen from 5,000 participants.