Visitors to the Education Show Ireland at the RDS rose by over 30 per cent on last year, according to Conor O'Brien, organiser of the event which was run by Irish Services Ltd in association with The Irish Times last month.

The three-day show-case for the wide-range of educational resources and services available today attracted about 4,500 visitors this year, including a high percentage of teachers and principals.

One of the biggest draws proved to be the launch of EdCast, a new data broadcasting service for schools. This new system broadcasts an extensive range of websites, all of them selected on the basis of educational value and curriculum relevance to schools throughout the country. The service was launched by the Minister for Education and Science, Micheal Martin, during the show.

Prepared and organised by RTE and BoCom International Ltd, in association with the Department, the content of the service is updated on a daily basis with new sites and other material added on an on-going basis. The service is already in operation in 50 schools around the country on a pilot basis.

A significant number of principals attended the show to view the latest in educational technology, materials and resource services.

Teaching aids for all education levels were on display. Bord na Gaeilge were in attendance with information on all the different careers in the Irish language.

This was the third year that Education Show Ireland was held. Bookings for next year are already under way with a high percentage of exhibitors rebooking before the show had even closed. "They did good business," Conor O'Brien explains.

For those who want more information about the show next year, which will run from March 25th to 27th, contact Conor O'Brien, exhibition organiser, or David Skinner, managing director of Irish Services Ltd - phone (01) 288 8821, fax (01) 288 3127.