Banteer National School win Best Overall Garden in Cork Schools Garden Competition

Members of Banteer National School  accept Award on behalf of school. Included in picture are Conor Nelligan, Mary Stack, Denis Kelly, Sean Holland,Denis O Donoghue, Kevin Conway Deputy Mayor of County Cork, Thomas Walsh Miriam Dillon and Sean Murphy Muintir

•      Cork, June 20, 2016: Banteer National School were deemed to have the best overall school garden at the Muintir na Tire Cork School Garden Awards held in Cork County Hall today. The leaders of the Banteer NS project are the enthusiastic Green Flag Committee members- Sadhbh Neenan, Donal O’ Donoghue, Con O’ Brien, Queen Ogumefu, Katie Patton, Roisín Murphy and Cian Cashman. This was a whole school effort, with each class involved in the planting of some section. The teachers involved in the planning are Mrs. Eileen Fitzgerald, Mrs Linda Keane and Mrs. Bernie O’ Connor. In the preparation of the garden they also enlisted the help of members of Banteer Tidy Towns Committee and some very interested parents.

•      Their garden had many memorable elements including the growing of vegetables herbs and fruit. They grew potatoes in bags and tyres. Courgettes, peas, onions, broad beans, salad leaves, red currants and strawberries were also grown

One of their beds also has a sensory element with mint, lavender and curry plant.

The garden also included many features to encourage wildlife and biodiversity. The pupils are very mindful of the plight of all their tiny friends – especially the bees and they developed a ‘wild patch’ to promote lots of living creatures.

The judges were particularly impressed by their ‘1916 remember your Roots’ garden project which was created using lots of upcycled materials. They also have many plants in their Proclamation Section also to commemorate 1916.

The judges also remarked on the wonderful colour and the use of recycled items in the Banteer garden.

Deputy County Mayor Mr. Kevin Conway presented the award and he praised all 37 schools who took part this year. Mr Sean Holland Chairman of the organising team said the standard was getting better each year making it very difficult for the judges.

Annette Lane Chairperson Of Muintir in Cork thanked Cork County Council Environment Directorate and Council’s Heritage Section for their support. She also thanked Griffins Garden Centre in Dripsey for all their support.

 The Results

Commended Gardens
Category	School
New	Ballyhooly Glandore Rathbarry Castlelack
Mixed	Gaelscoil Skibereen Kealkin NS Scoil Mhuire Ballincollig Scoil Barra Ballincollig
Edible	Aghabullogue St Marys Special School Rochestown Midleton Educate Together St Colmans Cloyne
Small
Biodiversity	Muinefliuch NS
Upcycling Colour and Art	Gaelscoil Mallow
Innovation Creativity
1916	Ardfield NS

Highly Commended Gardens
Category	School
New	Knockavilla NS
Edible	Kilcredan NS Scoil Chroi Iosa Blarney
Small	Ballygiblin NS Carrigboy NS Carriganima
Upcycling Colour and Art	St Marys Rosscarbery Knockskeagh NS Rath NS

Category Winners	Winners
New	Skibereen BNS
Mixed	Rusheen NS
Edible	Timoleague
Small	Mitchelstown CBS and Scoil Aban Naofa
Biodiversity	Drinagh NS
Upcycling Colour and Art	Conna NS
Innovation Creativity	Scoil Mhuire NS Schull and Clonakilty BNS
Most Improved	Scoil Phadraig Naofa Bandon
1916	Scool of Divine Child and Scoil an tAthair Maitiu

Overall Winners Banteer National School

Photos From Banteer NS Garden