62 Cork County Schools Honoured at Green Flag Awards Ceremony
62 Cork County schools have been honoured with Green Flag awards at a ceremony at Fota Wildlife Education Centre, recognising their environmental efforts.
Sixty-two schools across County Cork were celebrated at a special Green Flag awards ceremony held on 26 May 2026 at the Fota Wildlife Education Centre, recognising their outstanding commitment to environmental action and sustainability.
The awards form part of An Taisce's Green-Schools Programme, Ireland's leading environmental education initiative. Schools were honoured for their work across a range of themes including litter and waste, biodiversity, energy, global citizenship, and marine care.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley praised the achievements of students and teachers across the county:
"It is inspiring to see such strong commitment from schools across Cork County to environmental action and sustainability. The Green-Schools Programme empowers young people to take real ownership of environmental issues, and the results are evident in the creativity, teamwork, and dedication shown by students and their teachers. I warmly congratulate all 62 schools on this well-deserved recognition."
The Green-Schools Programme is student-led and promotes long-term, whole-school action for the environment, with active involvement from the wider community. Managed by An Taisce in partnership with Cork County Council, schools must complete a structured two-year process and demonstrate measurable environmental improvements to be awarded a Green Flag.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell said:
"Cork County Council is proud to support the Green-Schools Programme and to recognise the commitment shown by schools across the county to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability. I want to commend the schools, as their efforts are helping to inspire a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens."
Now in its 28th year, the programme saw Cork County schools join over 670 schools nationwide in receiving Green Flags this month. The awarded schools are drawn from across the county's three divisions, spanning Carrigaline, Cobh, East Cork, Macroom, Bandon-Kinsale, West Cork, Fermoy, and Kanturk-Mallow Municipal Districts.