Record number of Clare schools fly the Green Flag

CLOSE on 100 primary schools in Clare now fly the Green Flag, the international award for environmental action, after six schools were awarded the flag for the first time.

Green Schools is an international environmental education programme, environmental management system and award scheme that acknowledges long term, whole school action for the environment. 
It is run by An Taisce in partnership with local authorities throughout Ireland.

The six schools presented with their very first Green Flag at an awards ceremony in Galway were Clooney, Cooraclare, Kildysart, Mary K’s Childcare and Montessori (Ennis), Scoil na Maighdine Muire (Broadford) and St McCreehy’s (Liscannor).
A further 30 schools successfully renewed their Green Flags following work on new themes including energy, water, travel, biodiversity and global citizenship.

Those schools included Ballyea, Bodyke, Carrigaholt, Connolly, Clonmoney, Convent Primary School (Killaloe), Cross, Crusheen, Dangan, Ennistymon Vocational School, Gaelscoil Uí Choimin (Kilrush), Holy Family Junior School, Holy Family Senior School (Ennis), Killaloe Boys, Kilrush Community College, Knockerra, Lahinch, Lisseycasey, Scariff, Scoil Mhuire Corofin, Scoil Réalt na Mara (Kilkee), Shragh, St Anne’s School (Ennis), St Augustine’s (Kilshanny), St John’s  (Cratloe), St Mochulla’s (Tulla), St Senan’s and St Tola’s (Shannon), Querrin and Quilty.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Daly said he was delighted that the Green Schools programme is such a success in Clare with 97 schools attaining the Green Flag. 
“It is estimated that this amounts to a significant cost savings of €113,361.81 for Clare schools. This is a strong contribution from Clare schools boosting the number of flags to 2,785 at a national level,” he added.

Environmental awareness officer, Joan Tarmey outlined that in just one year, the environmental benefits and cost savings are significant. Some 255,374kg of waste was diverted from landfill, 610,511kWh energy was saved, water consumption was cut by 10,086,333 litres per year and there was a reduction of 328,455kg of carbon dioxide per year.

Ms Tarmey noted that a number of An Taisce staff are also working with Clare schools including a development officer and travel officer.  
“Clare County Council works very much in partnership with An Taisce to co-ordinate and develop Green School programme in Clare.  Sean Hartigan and Róisín Ní Ghairbhith provide much-needed support to schools and it’s important to acknowledge all their hard work,” she explained.