136 Dublin schools receive Green Flags for environmental work

Gary Ibbotson 29 May 2023

Ruth Elliott, Carrie Barling, Kishaylin Reddy and Caoimhe Acres from Stratford College, Dublin pictured with Phil Kearney, Chair of An Taisce, and Cathy Baxter, Director of An Taisce Education Unit at the Green-Schools awards ceremony, The Helix. Photographer: 1IMAGE/Bryan Brophy

An Taisce’s Green-Schools Programme wrapped up its awards season with ceremonies in Dublin’s Helix, City North Hotel and Athlone last week.

Following three years of virtual award ceremonies the programme was delighted to return to in-person ceremonies in eight locations around Ireland for schools in every county.

Speaking at the ceremony in The Helix, Director of An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit, Cathy Baxter, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see the reach and development of the Green-Schools programme over the last 25 years.

“To witness the commitment and innovation from the teachers, students, principals, caretakers and wider school community has been truly inspiring and we are looking forward to seeing what’s in store for the next 25 years.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the work of the programme through partnerships and sponsorships.

“It takes a collective effort to achieve what the programme has achieved- and there’s plenty more to come.”

Guests at the ceremony in The Helix were treated to a special rendition of the Dermot Kennedy song, ‘Outnumbered’ by students from Francis Street National School, a song which they felt made them feel hopeful when faced with the climate crisis.

An Taisce is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, while Green-Schools is celebrating its 25th anniversary of delivering environmental education to schools around the country.

Green-Schools is a long-term, whole school, action-based programme and award scheme for both primary and second-level schools.

Green-Schools operates in 92% of Irish schools and is in its 25th year. Within the Green-Schools programme, schools work through ten sustainability themes in a consecutive order.

Schools spend two academic years working on each theme before they may apply for the Green Flag award for that theme.

The 136 Dublin schools awarded this week were among 747 schools nation-wide that received their flags throughout the month in the areas of Litter & Waste, Water, Travel, Biodiversity and Global Citizenship, to name a few.