Our Transition Year Podcast series continues and up next is Andrew Whelan of Portlaoise CBS.
From The Heath, Andrew spent the first half of the term on work experience with LaoisToday.
A keen sportsperson, Andrew plays football for The Heath and hurling with Clonad – he previously played soccer for T&S United where our own Alan was his coach.
One of the most interesting things about Andrew, however, is that he is a 16-year-old with a blossoming business – Whelan’s Eggs.
He said: “It started during Covid, I got ten hens and set up a pen for them.
“Originally, I supplied eggs to my family and neighbours but then more and more people wanted eggs.
“So now I am up to 40 hens with their own house and all that goes with that.”
Is it much work?
Andrew said: “Ah it isn’t too bad. I go down for an hour in the morning and feed them plus give them water.
“A hen is a tenner. My uncle built me a hen house so getting started was easy enough.
“In terms of how many eggs are there each day, it depends on the weather. But in the summer, you could get 35 eggs per day.
“Before school, I gather up the eggs and then after school, I go down to make sure they are all alright.
“Most of the customers are neighbours but I don’t really know who they are because we have the honesty box on the road. €2.50 for a dozen.”
Andrew also tells his brilliant story of meeting Robbie Brady and being a mascot for the Ireland soccer team, his Transition Year experience in Portlaoise CBS and his attitude toward spending and saving.
Check it out below:
Our Transition Year series is brought to you in association with People First Credit Union. People First Credit Union support young minds in shaping their future.
People First believe in the power of community and the potential of youth. People First Credit Union – building a future of opportunity, one saver at a time.
SEE ALSO – LoveLaois Podcast: Transition Year Series – Megan Kavanagh (Scoil Chríost Rí)
