A GROUP of 400 transition year students from secondary schools across West Cork gathered at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery for the annual ‘Igniting Entrepreneurship’ event, hosted by the Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West.

Designed to inspire the region’s young minds, the event featured an exciting line-up of speakers from the worlds of sport, business, and entrepreneurship.

Tony Stephenson, World and European Kickboxing Champion and Total Kombat star, captivated students with his story of resilience and achievement.

The Bantry man’s record-breaking 15-second knockout at Total Kombat in London’s O2 Arena last month attracted over 10m online views.

He spoke about his journey in sport and training, highlighting the importance of discipline, structure, and pursuing what you love.

Meanwhile, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, Cork county mayor reminded the gathering of the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial skills in young people.

‘We are never too old or too young to be inspired or change the course of our lives. Passion and drive open doors, and this event shows our young people what is possible. I would also like to thank the teachers for their guidance and support, they play a critical role in helping students discover their strengths and realise their potential,’ she said.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell added: ‘Cork County Council is proud to support this annual event, which plays a vital role in preparing the next wave of innovators and business leaders. This generation will shape the future of our region. With the right mindset and supports, there is no limit to what they can achieve.’

Other speakers included Tim Casey of Cork Grassland Services, Muriel Foley, digital marketing expert and Claire O’Sullivan of WASI, a West Cork-based skin health brand. Claire recounted her entrepreneurial journey, emphasising that true success comes from doing what you are passionate about, even if it takes years of learning and experimentation.