Transition Year students from Beara Community School, Castletownbere, claimed second place in the National Student Enterprise Awards held on Wednesday last, April 2nd in Croke Park. The team produced an illustrated children's book which allows the child to write their own story to accompany the pictures.

The “My Little Big Adventure" book is currently on sale in stores throughout West Cork as well as through the website on; http://mylittlebigadventure.weebly.com with 10% of profits going to Barnardos Ireland. The Beara students beat off stiff competition from over 35 other teams from all over the country who qualified in their region to represent their Enterprise Board. Organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards, a record-breaking 17,000 students from 370 schools set-up and managed real-life businesses as part of the biggest student enterprise programme in the country. Through their involvement, students learned important business skills, gaining real-world experience and developing their commercial instincts.

Speaking of the award, Michael Hanley, CEO, West Cork Enterprise Board said “We are thrilled for the Castletownbere pupils and are extremely proud of them. This is the second time in just four years that West Cork Students have achieved a top prize in these extremely competitive awards, so is a huge boost to the region. This years competition was also the toughest the judges had ever seen so it is extremely encouraging that we have such fantastic budding entrepreneurs in our midst. The future is definitely bright for enterprise in West Cork!”

Also speaking of the final event, Christine Duggan, Schools Programme Co-Ordinator for West Cork said “The Castletownbere students are a really special team and we were so fortunate to have them representing us with the guidance of their teacher Niamh O'Driscoll. Beara Community School is an extremely progressive school and this can be seen clearly from the drive and motivation each of these students have. I knew we had something special in them going to the final in Dublin and to come away with 2nd prize is testament to all of their hard work, time and dedication”.

The five Castletownbere students were also among just 20 top students to be offered the opportunity to attend a Business Bootcamp, organised by the County and City Enterprise Boards, which will take place at the art Nexus Innovation Centre at the University of Limerick. The four day course will feature a range of interactive enterprise workshops and the students will also get to work closely with members of the Nexus community of entrepreneurs.

Note to Editor: The West Cork Enterprise Board funds and manages the West Cork Schools Enterprise Programme each year which allows 4th and some 5th year secondary school students partake in the West Cork Programme at Senior Level. County & City Enterprise Boards are Funded under Ireland's EU Structural Funds Programme 2007-2013 with funding from the Exchequer and the European Regional Development Fund.