Four Clare primary and secondary schools have been awarded green flags for the first time bringing to 100 the number of local schools now holding the international award for environmental action.
Run by An Taisce in partnership with local authorities throughout Ireland, the Green-Schools award scheme is an international environmental education programme and management system that acknowledges long-term, whole school action for the environment.
St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in Shannon; Coore NS, Kilkishen NS and Scoil Mhuire in Meelick were presented with their very first green flag at a special An Taisce Green Schools Awards ceremony held in the Radisson Hotel in Galway recently.
A further 32 schools successfully renewed their Green Flags following work on new themes including energy, water, travel, biodiversity and global citizenship litter/waste.
The schools include: Clondrinagh NS; Úlla Beag Preshool, Killaloe; Doolin NS.; Scoil Mhainchín, Ennistymon; Ennis Educate Together NS; St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart; St Senan’s Primary School, Kilrush; Lakyle NS, Whitegate; Moyasta National School; Gaelscoil Iosef Naofa, Moy; St Clare’s School, Ennis; Annagh NS; St Mary’s National School, Feakle; St Enda’s National School, Lisdoonvarna; Scoil na Mainistreach, Quin; Moveen NS; St Colman’s NS, New Quay; Kilmurry NS; St Aidan’s NS, Shannon; Tubber NS; Bridgetown NS; Clohanes NS; Colaiste Muire, Ennis; Knockanean NS; Mol an Óige NS, Ennistymon; Ogonnelloe NS; Stonehall NS.; Sixmilebridge NS; Flagmount NS; St Flannan’s NS, Inagh; St Joseph’s NS, Miltown Malbay and Rockmount NS.
Commenting on the Green School’s programme Mayor of Clare, Councillor Joe Arkins said it continues to be a phenomenal success in Clare.
“It is estimated that this amounts to a significant cost savings of €135,505 for Clare schools. Comhgairdeas do na scoileanna sin ar bronnadh a gcuid Brat Glas,” he said.
Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer noted that Clare’s Green Flag schools have shown significant savings in generating less waste, and reducing energy as well as water consumption.
“While water conservation has never been more topical, one primary school, Clohanes NS, is leading the way and has been just awarded regional winners of the Water School of the Year in the southern region. They achieved a 74% reduction in the average litres used per student per day through introducing measures such as urinal sensors, push taps, water experiments, table quizzes, poems, posters and water saving tips,” she said.
She added that one secondary school alone has managed to reduce its water use by 71% following a comprehensive programme of leak detection and awareness through an innovative water conservation video, hippo bags in toilets among others.
“An Taisce works in partnership with Clare County Council to run the programme in Clare. Roisin Ní Ghairbhith provides wonderful support to schools working on the travel theme, and it’s important to acknowledge her hard work,” she concluded.
“It is a great achievement that so many primary and secondary schools continue to implement the Green-Schools programme successfully and as a result students across Clare, and indeed Ireland, are having a very positive impact on the environment both nationally and locally,” Anthony Purcell, Green Schools Manager with An Taisce stated.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.