6 Clare primary schools have been awarded Green Flags for the first time bringing to 97 the number of local schools now holding the international award for environmental action.
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 the An Taisce Green Schools Awards ceremony in Galway include Clooney NS, Cooraclare NS, Kildysart NS, Mary K’s Childcare & Montessori in Ennis, Scoil na Maighdine Muire in Broadford and St. McCreehy’s NS in Liscannor.
A further 30 schools successfully renewed their Green Flags following work on new themes including energy, water, travel, biodiversity and global citizenship. They include Ballyea NS, Bodyke NS, Carrigaholt NS, Connolly NS, Clonmoney NS, Convent Primary School in Killaloe, Cross NS, Crusheen NS, Dangan NS, Ennistymon Vocational School, Gaelscoil Ui Choimin in Kilrush, Holy Family Junior school, Holy Family Senior school (both Ennis), Killaloe Boys NS, Kilrush Community College, Knockerra NS, Lahinch NS, Lisseycasey NS, Scariff NS, Scoil Mhuire in Corofin, Scoil Realt na Mara in Kilkee, Shragh NS, St. Anne’s School in Ennis, St. Augustine’s NS in Kilshanny, St. John’s NS in Cratloe, St. Mochulla’s NS in Tulla, St, Senan’s NS and St. Tola’s NS (both Shannon), Querrin NS and Quilty NS.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Pat Daly commented: “I am 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. Comhgairdeas do na scoileanna sin ar bronnadh a gcuid Brat Glas”.
Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, added: “Schools flying their Green Flags can be justifiably proud of their achievements. In just one year the environmental benefits and cost savings are significant: 255,374 kilograms of waste diverted from landfill (equivalent to over 2,000 wheelie bins), 610,511 kWh energy saved (enough to boil 275,000 kettles), water consumption has been cut by 10,086,333 litres per year (that’s enough to flush your toilet 1.1 million times), and a reduction of 328,455 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year. This is an incredible record and one which all schools should be very proud.”
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 Roisin Ní Ghairbhith provide much needed support to schools, and it’s important to acknowledge all their hard work,” she explained.
Anthony Purcell, Green Schools Manager with An Taisce stated: “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”.
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 the An Taisce Green Schools Awards ceremony in Galway include Clooney NS, Cooraclare NS, Kildysart NS, Mary K’s Childcare & Montessori in Ennis, Scoil na Maighdine Muire in Broadford and St. McCreehy’s NS in Liscannor.
A further 30 schools successfully renewed their Green Flags following work on new themes including energy, water, travel, biodiversity and global citizenship. They include Ballyea NS, Bodyke NS, Carrigaholt NS, Connolly NS, Clonmoney NS, Convent Primary School in Killaloe, Cross NS, Crusheen NS, Dangan NS, Ennistymon Vocational School, Gaelscoil Ui Choimin in Kilrush, Holy Family Junior school, Holy Family Senior school (both Ennis), Killaloe Boys NS, Kilrush Community College, Knockerra NS, Lahinch NS, Lisseycasey NS, Scariff NS, Scoil Mhuire in Corofin, Scoil Realt na Mara in Kilkee, Shragh NS, St. Anne’s School in Ennis, St. Augustine’s NS in Kilshanny, St. John’s NS in Cratloe, St. Mochulla’s NS in Tulla, St, Senan’s NS and St. Tola’s NS (both Shannon), Querrin NS and Quilty NS.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Pat Daly commented: “I am 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. Comhgairdeas do na scoileanna sin ar bronnadh a gcuid Brat Glas”.
Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer, added: “Schools flying their Green Flags can be justifiably proud of their achievements. In just one year the environmental benefits and cost savings are significant: 255,374 kilograms of waste diverted from landfill (equivalent to over 2,000 wheelie bins), 610,511 kWh energy saved (enough to boil 275,000 kettles), water consumption has been cut by 10,086,333 litres per year (that’s enough to flush your toilet 1.1 million times), and a reduction of 328,455 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year. This is an incredible record and one which all schools should be very proud.”
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 Roisin Ní Ghairbhith provide much needed support to schools, and it’s important to acknowledge all their hard work,” she explained.
Anthony Purcell, Green Schools Manager with An Taisce stated: “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”.
