The surge of interest in entrepreneurship over the last 20 years, from new publications to university courses to government activity, verifies the critical role that entrepreneurship now plays and will continue to play in the consistent shaping and strengthening of our economy. This entrepreneurial explosion, as highlighted by Naisbitt (1982) is revitalizing economies, creating millions of jobs and developing new global opportunities. O’Hagan (1991) also states that a lack of entrepreneurial spirit within a country is the single most important explanation for weak economic performance, which was Ireland’s history, but not anymore. The recent shared entrepreneurial spirit has helped foster the greatest economic boom in Irish history known as the Celtic Tiger.

Today entrepreneurship and small to medium enterprises (SME) are increasingly important parts of the global business world. Increased competition and globalization demand increased entrepreneurial behaviour (Gibb, 1999). This area of SME is critical to a country’s economy; Garavan et al (1997) point out that it is now accepted that much of the Irish economy’s ability to innovate, diversify and create new jobs comes from the small firms sector.

Many industrialized countries have suffered from the more recent economic downturn, high unemployment rates in sectors of the economy where reliance has been heavy, such as the construction industry, and international trade. Entrepreneurs have been examined before as a solution to rising unemployment rates and once again attention is now being paid especially in the area of entrepreneurial education and training.

The responsibility for entrepreneurial education and training does not rest entirely with the educational world as pointed out by Garavan and O’Cinneide (1994; 4). There is a need for creation of an atmosphere that will encourage entrepreneurship and recognize failures as all part of the learning process (Murray and White, 1986). Garavan and O’Cinneide (1994; 7) go as far as to outline some common objectives of entrepreneurship education and training, one of which is to stimulate entrepreneurial drive talent and skills. O’Brien (2008; 25) and Morrissey (2008; 2) state that the success of an entrepreneurial economy is to encourage and reinforce attitudes towards entrepreneurship and both outline the importance of education and entrepreneurship as crucial factors for the continued success of companies.

So what is a students’ image of an entrepreneur? What would motivate them to take up entrepreneurial type modules in their courses and what is their perception of entrepreneurs? Research was conducted on a small sample of part time students in the Faculty of Tourism and Food, Dublin Institute of Technology, taking part in a Business Planning module, to try to further understand their motives for taking entrepreneurship type modules and to appreciate what is their perception of an entrepreneur. Both a questionnaire and a focus group discussion was conducted, with 88% of respondents indicating they would like to open their own business one day with 53% saying they thought entrepreneurs were courageous to take the risk. This research is ongoing.

Keywords: Entrepreneurs, Education, Student Motives.