Cork Students Shine at National Green-Schools Water Awards

Two Cork students have been named regional winners at this year's Green-Schools Water Awards, with the annual ceremony taking place in Dublin last month to recognise the efforts of primary and secondary students from across Ireland.

Kayla O'Sullivan of Scoil Mhuire, Ballincollig was named regional winner in the primary school senior category, while Charlie McCann of Boherbue Comprehensive School claimed the regional title in the secondary school category. Both students collected their awards at a ceremony held at Wood Quay in Dublin 8, which took place over the course of two days.

The event forms part of the Green-Schools Water Programme for the 2025-26 academic year. This year's poster competition carried the theme "Water and Me / Mise agus Uisce," inviting participating students to design a poster centring on moments when water has mattered to them.

The competition drew an impressive response, with 1,600 entries received across the junior primary, senior primary, and secondary categories. Twelve regional winners were each awarded a €100 voucher and had their poster professionally framed, with three overall national winners also announced at the ceremony.

Secondary school students were additionally invited to enter a video competition on the theme "Water is Life," with the national winner and two runners-up presented with their prizes at the event. A full list of all winners is available on the Green-Schools website.

Róisín Bradford, Communications Manager, Uisce Éireann:

"The Green-Schools awards are always a wonderful occasion and this year, the quality of the submissions across the various categories has been truly incredible. The vital work being done by Green-Schools in schools across Ireland is clearly bearing fruit in terms of how our young people think about water and the need to conserve and respect it. We in Uisce Éireann are proud of our long-standing sponsorship of the programme."

Cathy Baxter, An Taisce Director of Education:

"The Green-Schools Water Awards are one of the highlights of our year. They celebrate the creativity, commitment and teamwork of students and teachers working together to protect one of our most precious resources: water. These young people are leading by example and showing that real environmental change begins in our schools and communities. We're so proud of their efforts and inspired by their impacts."

The ceremony marked the thirteenth year of Uisce Éireann's sponsorship of An Taisce's Green-Schools programme, which supports schools working to gain a Green Flag under the water theme. Throughout the current academic year, An Taisce has been engaging directly with over 300 schools on the Water Flag, working with over 90,000 students and 9,000 teachers across the country.

For more information on Uisce Éireann's sponsorship of the Green-Schools programme, visit water.ie.