They'll remember the image of Louise Ni Shuilleabhain carrying the Irish flag into the European Parliament for many a day. Mary Hester and her 13 history students never thought they would get as far as Strasbourg on the strength of winning a local competition.

The brief of the competition, run by Clare Co Council for second-level schools in the county, was to examine the role of government at local and national level. The class of Ennis Community College researched the subject outside of school hours under Hester's guidance.

They produced a booklet crammed with information as well as recommendations on how the county council could do more to improve their profile and raise awareness of issues. Their project won first prize.

The judges said the project was "an extraordinarily comprehensive and thoroughly indepth response to the brief". They were presented with £2,000.

Hester and her students presented the project to the European Parliament Office in Dublin. As a result they were offered a trip for 30 students to Strasbourg and a chance to represent Ireland at Euroscola Day, when students from all EU countries become members of the parliament for a day.

They debate, form working groups and discuss issues and formulate motions. "They had to communicate with each other," says Hestor. "They learned about the importance of foreign languages. They got a sense of how important the parliament was and how much work MEPs do."

Three teachers along with the students from both the community college and Gaelcholaiste an Chlair, a unit within the college, all travelled together. "They met students from all over Europe," says Hester. "For many it was a first trip abroad. It was a big day. We never, ever thought that we would go to Strasbroug."