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As part of their First year “Business Studies” assignment, Ms. Hughes’ class did an insightful walk through the town earlier today where they explored and analysed the diverse range of businesses that contribute to our local economy. The purpose of this investigation was to better understand the different types of enterprises operating within a small town in the west of Ireland, and how they cater for the various needs within our community. 

Before heading off, they were tasked with creating a detailed map of Ballaghaderreen. Students had to sketch the town’s layout, ensuring that they marked the main streets, the landmarks and the existing business locations. This exercise allowed them to familiarise themselves with the geography of the town, which was crucial for identifying and categorising the various types of businesses they met. This also linked in with cross-curricular subjects such as Geography. 

As they strolled through the town, they observed and discussed the range of businesses. They paid particular attention to the size, scale, and specialisation of each enterprise. After noting these observations, they colour-coded each business type on their maps—helping to visually represent the diversity and spread of the town’s economic landscape. 

This active activity not only helped them gain a practical understanding of the business environment within their local community, but it also allowed them to apply theoretical concepts from their coursework, such as “Market Segmentation” and Business Classification”, and the role of small businesses in supporting regional economies. The exercise proved to be a valuable and engaging way to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.