The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy has paid
tribute to Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní for winning the Overall Best City
School Garden award in the Muintir na Tíre Cork School Garden Competition 2026.
Speaking at the Muintir na Tíre Cork School Garden Awards
ceremony in Cork County Hall, Cllr. Dennehy said:
“I am deeply impressed by the work being undertaken in the
primary schools that enter the Cork School Garden Competition. They are all
winners, and the knowledge and skills the children are learning today will
stand to them throughout their lives. I congratulate all the schools that
participated in 2026.
I am delighted that schools are teaching children how to
grow vegetables, fruit and flowers — skills they will never forget. This work
also makes an important contribution to climate action. I commend the
commitment and dedication of the principals, teachers, SNAs, parents and all
those involved in developing and maintaining these wonderful gardens.”
Una Leader, Executive Scientist with Cork City Council,
expressed her delight that biodiversity is now a major feature of most gardens
entering the competition.
She noted that by allowing a patch of nettles to grow in a
small corner of a school garden, schools are providing an important food source
for the larvae (caterpillars) of several once-common butterfly species, all of
which lay their eggs on nettle leaves. Even a narrow strip of uncut grass can
support butterflies that depend on native grasses as a food source during their
larval stage.
Ms. Leader also highlighted the importance of upcycling in
school gardens.
“Upcycling helps reduce the amount of waste going to
landfill and lowers CO₂ emissions by making use of existing materials instead
of purchasing new ones. Schools participating in the competition are encouraged
to rethink, repair, refurbish, reuse and recycle. I am delighted that colour
and art have become key features of many gardens, with recycled materials often
being used creatively to achieve this.”
Mr. Sean Holland, Chair of the Cork Muintir na Tíre
Committee, which has organised the competition since 2012, said the initiative
continues to enjoy immense popularity among schools throughout Cork.
He praised the exceptionally high standard of entries and
thanked all the city schools that participated in 2026.
“We visited many gardens, both large and small, new and
established, and each one was unique. The children were amazing — welcoming,
enthusiastic and eager to show us their gardens while explaining what they had
done and what they had learned.”
The Cork School Garden Competition continues to encourage
environmental awareness, biodiversity, sustainability and practical gardening
skills among young people across Cork City and County.
For full details and other winners go to Muintircork.com
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