Entrepreneurs take note: student nets €3,000 in eBay auction

IT pays to be original. Student Cillian Fahy, from New Quay, Co Clare, has made a small fortune from selling his handwritten Leaving Cert study notes on eBay.

In the early hours of yesterday morning the straight A student's 'meticulously compiled' notes earned him almost €3,000.

The final bids for the French and maths notes came to over €1,000 each, Irish made €140, music €120, English almost topped €300 and a bidder paid €190 for Cillian's history notes.

The enterprising student, who got seven As in his Leaving Cert, said he was 'really amazed and absolutely delighted'.

'I was, honest to God, quite surprised with all the interest but hopefully it will encourage other students to do the same. In these recessionary times part-time jobs are hard to come by and students need all the financial help they can get,' he added.

Since Cillian's unique idea became public several other A1 students have put their notes up on eBay to earn money.

'I might have started a trend,' he said. 'It's a good idea. I hope that other students will continue to do this year on year to make money.'

Cillian (18) has collected all the money already, except for the €1,100 bid on the French notes.

'I wish I could say I was going to spend the money on something extravagant or exciting but most of the money will go on the €1,500 registration fee for college and on student accommodation,' he said.

'We have to pay these things. My parents would have been happy to support me through college but I want to do my bit. I can't expect them to pay all my bills.'

Cillian will be living in Dublin come September and hopes to make a 'sustainable income' through giving Leaving Cert grinds that are also on auction on eBay.

- Fiona Ellis

Irish Independent