Cork Students Mark Earth Day with Walk for Water Along the Lee
Cork students joined the Green Schools Walk for Water along the Lee Fields yesterday, marking Earth Day with a focus on water conservation and local heritage.
Over 50 secondary school students from across Cork came together yesterday for the annual Walk for Water, exploring the Lee Fields and following the Curraheen River in a celebration of local waterways and environmental awareness.
The event was organised by An Taisce Green-Schools in partnership with Uisce Éireann to mark Earth Day 2026, which this year focuses on the power of individuals and communities to demand climate action and protect biodiversity.
Students from Nano Nagle College in Farranree, St Aloysius Secondary School in Cork City, and Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Glanmire took part in the walk, which combined local heritage with hands-on environmental education.
Stephen Hayes, Water Operations, Uisce Éireann, drew attention to the Old Waterworks visible across the River Lee, which once pumped water to households that could afford it. He noted that the nearby Lee Road Water Treatment Plant, upgraded in 2022 at a cost of €40 million, now supplies water to 70% of Cork City, and stressed that providing clean water comes at a cost and that everyone has a role in avoiding waste.
Coláiste an Phiarsaigh's Green-Schools Committee ran a five-minute shower campaign ahead of the event, with strong results among students. One committee member said:
"People our age are known to take long showers. Our campaign encouraged everyone to save as much water as possible over a week by reporting their five-minute showers. For some, it was their first time trying it and even doing it once showed them it's possible. It created a great buzz in our school."
The walk also incorporated a sound-mapping exercise along the Curraheen River, encouraging students to tune in to the natural environment around them.
Sabrina Moore, Green-Schools Programme Coordinator, An Taisce, said:
"We tuned into the sounds by creating a sound map, each of us identifying natural and human sounds around us. Even a few minutes of this can help you relax and become more aware of your surroundings."
With growing awareness of the benefits of time spent in nature for mental health, this year's Walk for Water offered students a meaningful and grounding way to mark Earth Day.
Uisce Éireann has been sponsoring An Taisce's Green-Schools Water theme for thirteen years, supporting water conservation education in schools across Ireland.
