69 schools from Cork County have been awarded Green Flags as part of An Taisce’s Green Schools Programme. The primary and secondary schools were celebrated for their achievements under themes of litter and waste, biodiversity, energy, global citizenship and the marine environment amongst others.
An Taisce operates Green Schools in Cork County in partnership with Cork County Council. Now in its 26th year, Green Schools is a long-term, whole school, action-based programme and award scheme for both primary and second-level schools that operates in 92% of Irish schools. When participating in the programme, schools work through ten sustainability themes, spending two academic years working on each theme before applying for the Green Flag award for that theme.
Acknowledging the dedication of the students involved in achieving these awards, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn said:
“It is extremely encouraging to see pupils from primary school to secondary school age taking part in this wonderful initiative. The structure of the programme is such that sustainability, recycling, circular living and biodiversity become part of the daily thought process for these pupils and they will carry this with them into the future. It is great to see their hard work and the work of their teachers acknowledged and rewarded.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan added:
“The Green Schools Programme has a long and successful record of supporting environmental education in schools. I would like to commend the dedication and enthusiasm of the students and teachers in achieving their Green Flag awards. Congratulations to each of the 69 Cork County schools who received their flags this week.”
The 69 Cork County schools awarded this week were among over 750 schools nationwide that will receive their flags throughout the month. Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin went on to represent Cork County as regional winners for the Water School of the Year Award at the Green Schools Water Awards ceremony in Dublin.
List of Cork County Schools awarded Green-Flags in 2024:
- Abbeystrewry NS
- Ahiohill NS
- Analeentha NS
- Bandonbridge NS
- Barryroe NS
- Berrings NS
- Bishop Ahern NS
- Bishop McEgan College
- Bishop O’Brien NS
- Boherbue NS
- Bright Sparks Childcare Centre
- Carrigaline Community Special School
- Carriganima NS
- Carrigboy NS
- Carrigtwohill Community College
- Castlelack NS
- Clonpriest NS
- Cloughduv NS
- Coláiste Muire
- Coláiste Múire Réalt na Mara
- Conna NS
- Derinagree NS
- Donoughmore Family Resource Centre
- Firmount NS
- Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin
- Gaelscoil Choráin
- Gaelscoil De hÍde
- Gaelscoil Sheáin Uí Eigeartaigh
- Glanworth NS
- Hamilton High School
- Holy Well NS
- Kilbonane NS
- Kilbrittain NS
- Kilcoe NS
- Kilcolman NS
- Kildorrery NS
- Killavullen NS
- Kilmurry NS
- Knocknagree NS
- Knockskeagh NS
- Meelin NS
- Newmarket Boys NS
- Newtownshandrum NS
- Our Lady of Mercy NS
- Rusnacahara NS
- Sacred Heart Secondary School
- Scoil an Aird
- Scoil an Athar Tadhg
- Scoil Aonghusa CNS Mallow
- Scoil Bhailenora
- Scoil Bhríde Crosshaven
- Scoil Bhríde Crossmahon
- Scoil Bhríde Midleton
- Scoil Bhríde Rathcormac
- Scoil Mháirtín
- Scoil Mhuire Araglin
- Scoil Mhuire na nGrást
- Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire
- Scoil na mBuachaillí Clonakilty
- Scoil Realt Na Mara
- St. Brendan’s NS
- St. James NS
- St. Joseph’s Girls NS
- St. Joseph’s Infant School
- St. Mary’s NS Cobh
- St. Mary’s NS Enniskeane
- St. Mary’s Primary School
- Timoleague NS
- Walterstown NS
Green-Schools (known internationally as Eco-Schools) is an international environmental management education programme, environmental management system and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole-school action for the environment.
The programme is coordinated in Ireland by An Taisce, operated in partnership with Local Authorities and is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage; Department of Environment, Climate and Communications; Department of Transport, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Department of Foreign Affairs, Irish Aid, National Transport Authority, NPWS, Irish Water, Clothes Pod and the Wrigley Company Limited.
For more information on the Green Schools Programme in Cork County please contact David Macilwraith [email protected]