On Friday, 15th May 2026, Green-Schools hosted the annual Green-Schools Marine Environment Awards at Hyatt Centric, Dublin 8, celebrating schools from across Ireland for their outstanding work on the eighth theme of the Green-Schools programme: Global Citizenship Marine Environment.
Supported by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, this theme encourages schools to deepen their understanding of Ireland’s coastal and ocean ecosystems while taking meaningful action to tackle marine litter and plastic pollution within their communities.
This month, 82 schools nationwide are receiving their Green Flag for the Marine Environment theme, recognising their commitment to environmental awareness, sustainability, and active citizenship. From these schools, eight exceptional schools were selected as regional “Marine School of the Year” winners and honoured at the Marine Awards Ceremony in Dublin.
The four primary and four secondary schools were recognised for their innovative and inspiring work exploring marine biodiversity, raising awareness around marine plastics, and reducing plastic waste both within their schools and in their wider communities.
Primary School Regional Winners:
Dublin Rathdown Junior School, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
East/Midlands Scoil Eoin Naofa National School, North Tipperary
South Kilcoe National School, Cork
North/West Curravagh National School, Cavan
Secondary School Regional Winners:
Dublin Manor House Secondary School, Dublin
East/Midlands Kilkenny City Vocational School, Kilkenny
South Christ King Girls’ Secondary School, Cork
North/West Seamount College, Galway
From the regional winners, two schools were selected as overall national winners:
Primary: Curravagh National School, Cavan
Secondary: Seamount College, Galway
Both schools received a commemorative trophy, their Green Flag, and €500 to support future Green-Schools initiatives and environmental actions.
Celebrating Young Creative Voices
The event also recognised the winners of the 2026 Green-Schools National Marine Creative Writing Competition, “A Message from the Waves.” Now in its sixth year, the competition continues to inspire students to engage creatively with environmental themes and ocean conservation.
More than 250 entries were submitted by primary and secondary students nationwide, with twelve students receiving awards for their exceptional work. First-place winners received a trophy, an adoption pack from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, book tokens, and €100 towards a creative writing workshop or Green-Schools activities.
1st and 2nd class category
1st place: Theo Kennedy, Kilcoole Primary School, Co. Wicklow
2nd place: Henry O’ Connor, Knockainey National School, Co. Limerick
3rd place: Evan Hilliard, St. Mary’s National School, Co. Louth
3rd and 4th class category
1st place: Willow McBride, Cloughjordan No. 1 National School, Co. Tipperary
2nd place: Elsie Bourke, Ballinahinch National School, Co. Tipperary
3rd place: Martha Homan, Bennekerry National School, Co. Carlow
5th and 6th class category
1st place: Zoe Doran, Mary Queen of Ireland Girls National School, Co. Limerick
2nd place: Conn Sheahan, St. Colman’s National School, Co. Kilkenny
3rd place: Jessica Doran, St Margaret’s National School, Co. Dublin
Secondary School Category
1st place: Leah McCormack, Scoil Coláiste Íosagáin, Co. Offaly
2nd place: Charlotte Foley, Sandford Park School, Co. Dublin
3rd place: Grace Guinan, Sandford Park School, Co. Dublin
The winning entries can be found here
With over 85 attendees, the awards ceremony was a wonderful celebration of the passion, creativity, and dedication shown by students and teachers working to protect Ireland’s marine environment.
Speaking at the event, Green-Schools National Manager Joanne Scott said:
“We are incredibly proud to recognise the outstanding efforts of schools across the country who are being awarded for their work on the Global Citizenship: Marine Environment theme. These students and teachers are leading by example, showing that through education, action, and community engagement, we can protect our marine environment for future generations.”
Green-Schools would like to congratulate all schools, students, and teachers involved for their commitment to protecting our oceans and inspiring positive environmental change across Ireland.