Winners of the ‘Green-Schools Ireland 2040 – Our Plan’ Poster Competition were presented with their prizes by Minister Simon Coveney at an Awards Ceremony at the Custom House, Dublin on Wednesday 3rd May.

Over 3,000 students from 255 schools representing every county in Ireland responded to the challenge of creating a poster to share their thoughts and ideas on how they would like Ireland to be in the future. The competition gave a platform to children and youth to engage in the consultation around the development of Our Plan 2040 National Planning Framework.

The competition was run by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

The organisers were delighted with the response from schools nationwide and impressed by the ideas and talent expressed through their students.

Themes such as the environment and sustainability were very popular and the demand for quality education and healthcare infrastructure was evident. Students also want a diverse, fair and multicultural society with plenty of room for recreation facilities, parks and open spaces. Topical issues such as the election of Donald Trump, homelessness and climate change also featured on many posters.

Full Details of Winners:

Junior Primary Category:

  • Midlands and East: Runner-up: Pádraic Lambert (2nd Class, Aughrim N.S., Co. Wicklow; Winner: Iulia Sirbu (2nd Class, St. Lawrence’s N.S., Crookstown, Co. Kildare)
  • North and West: Runner-up: Aisling McCartin (1st Class, St. Patrick’s N.S., Clara, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan); Winner: Sky Johnston (2nd Class, Convoy Joint N.S., Co. Donegal)
  • Southern Region: Runner-up: Chloe Goggin (1st Class, Trafrask N.S., Adrigole, Beara, Co. Cork); Winner: Joshua O’ Connor (2nd Class, Bunscoil Chroíst Rí, Cork)

Senior Primary Category:

  • Midlands and East: Runner-up: Jeanette Oseniece (6th Class, St. Joseph’s Mercy, Navan, Co. Meath); Winner: Julita Karczewska (3rd Class, Scoil Mhuire, Tullamore, Co. Offaly)
  • North and West: Runner-up: Anastasia Hill (6th Class, Buaile Beag N.S., Rahoon, Galway);  Winner: Sara O’ Beirne (5th Class, St. Manchan’s N.S., Mohill, Co. Leitrim)
  • Southern Region: Runner-up: Tamara Orosz (6th Class, Milford N.S., Castletroy, Co. Limerick); Winner: Jennifer Nicholas (6th Class, St. Mochulla’s N.S., Tulla, Co. Clare)

Secondary Category:

  • Midlands and East: Runner-up: Damian Kubik (St. Aidan’s C.B.S., Glasnevin, Dublin 9); Winner: Viktoria Ferdzyn (Coláiste Eoin, Finglas, Dublin)
  • North and West: Runner-up: Sigrid Skoldberg (Calasanctius College, Oranmore, Co. Galway); Winner: Hazel Ní Bheacháin (Coláiste Oiriall, Co. Monaghan)
  • Southern Region: Runner-up: Cora Norton (Urseline Secondary School, Thurles, Co. Tipperary); Winner: Emily Miller (St. Leo’s College, Carlow)

Special Recognition Award: St. Ita’s, Drogheda, Co. Louth: Class MS2: Oisin Matthew and Katie Anderson; Class P1: Blessed Odum and Sam Murphy

Overall National Winners:

Junior Primary Category:

  • Iulia Sirbu (2nd Class, St. Lawrence’s N.S., Crookstown, Co. Kildare)

Senior Primary Category:

  • Winner: Jennifer Nicholas (6th Class, St. Mochulla’s N.S., Tulla, Co. Clare)

Secondary Category:

  • Winner: Emily Miller (St. Leo’s College, Carlow)