West Cork schoolgirls win national agriculture prize

A transition-year team from a West Cork school has won a national competition that explores the key issues facing Irish agriculture and sustainable beef production.

Students from Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, won this year’s Certified Irish Angus schools national final in Croke Park.

There were 180 entries, with 50 secondary schools advancing to Croke Park, before five finalists were selected.

Each finalist team developed research on the future of sustainable beef farming, covering themes such as farm technology, environmental performance, consumer awareness, soil health, carbon efficiency, and the global positioning of Irish beef.

The competition’s programme provides students with insight in to the beef supply chain and the roles of sustainability, genetics, animal welfare, and environmental management in modern farming.

St Brendan’s Community School, from Birr in Co Offaly, was the runner-up.

Increasing awareness 

The theme of Sacred Heart Secondary School’s entry was “increasing awareness of the Certified Irish Angus brand, highlighting breeding efficiency, farm profitability, and consumer education”.

St Brendan’s Community School’s theme was “demonstrating how small, practical adjustments, including soil-health planning and carbon-measurement tools, can improve sustainability on beef farms”.

Michael Moynihan, minister of state with responsibility for special education and inclusion at the Department of Education and Youth, spoke at the final and viewed the projects.

Also in attendance was Dermot McGrath, meat, fish, poultry, and egg technical manager for Tesco Ireland.

The competition is supported by beef-processing companies ABP and Kepak, in partnership with the Certified Irish Angus producer group.

Kevin Cahill, managing director of ABP Ireland, congratulated the students from Sacred Heart Secondary School. “The competition showcases the depth of talent, innovation, and practical thinking among young people interested in agriculture,” he said.

“These students are engaging directly with the real challenges and opportunities facing Irish beef production, including sustainability and carbon efficiency, consumer awareness, and farm technology.”