69 Cork County Schools Receive Green Flag Award

A man and a group of children standing beside jenga blocks

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.