A Dublin fourth-class teacher who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for development projects in Kenya has been named "Best Teacher in Ireland" by the organisers of the recent National Children's Day.

Sheila Boyd of Holy Trinity School, Donaghmede, Dublin, was chosen from among many nominees, organisers said. "We received hundreds of fantastic entries, including essays, poems, letters and stories," said Sally Keaveney, managing director of National Children's Day.

Boyd, nominated by her student Leah Nolan, wins a two-week holiday in Thailand, with the help of competition sponsor Ribena. Her class also win an "educational day out".