01-07-2025
Wexford students celebrated for biodiversity artwork at awards ceremony
The artwork competition is an initiative run by the Environment Section of Wexford County Council in conjunction with Wexford Naturalists' Field Club and the theme of this year's competition was 'Bumblebees, Solitary Bees and Honeybee – Nature's Pollinators.'
Councillor Ger Carthy, Leas – Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, presented prizes to 40 school children representing both primary and secondary schools.
Councillor Ger Carthy said: 'The aim of the competition was to raise awareness of the importance of Wexford's environment and to encourage all to explore its uniqueness as something to be valued and cherished. Wexford County Council is preparing a new Local Biodiversity Action Plan, supported by the Heritage Council."
"The plan will provide a framework for biodiversity action for the next six years with the aim of halting biodiversity loss in County Wexford. It will be underpinned by the objectives of the National Biodiversity Action Plan and will set a vision for addressing biodiversity loss at a local level. An emphasis will be placed on actions that are achievable and measurable within the lifetime of the plan.'
He encouraged all to take local action for biodiversity, whether it's getting involved in the many campaigns like 'Let Dandelions Bee,' 'No Mow May,' 'Let It Bloom June,' or by planting native pollinator trees, pollinator friendly bulbs and plants.
"We all have a role to play in learning more about biodiversity and protecting the natural heritage of Wexford. The artwork displayed here today reminds, us all to look after our environment, a precious legacy for generations to come,' he added.
He thanked Don Conroy for providing the colouring sheet and judging the artwork competition. He also thanked Wexford Naturalists' Field Club for supporting the competition and sponsoring birdboxes and he praised the young artists present and encouraged them to maintain a healthy respect for the environment as part of their lives.
The overall winner from Primary Schools was Alice Buki Nemeth, Glynn National School and the overall winner from Secondary Schools was Leon Carthy of Selskar College Wexford. The winning artwork was displayed in County Hall.
Prizes were also presented for the Snap into Action Competition, which is open to both schools and community groups. This competition encourages people from all walks of life to take action against litter.
Danescastle National School received first prize in the Snap Into Action School Competition and received a prize for €500. Kilmyshall National School and Ballyoughter National School were presented with runner up award of €250.
Enniscorthy Tidy Towns were the winners in the Snap Into Action Community Group Competition and received a prize of €500. Campile Area Development Group and Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns were presented with runner up award of €250.
Councillor Ger Carthy congratulated all involved and praised the groups for all their voluntary work in Keeping Wexford Beautiful.
Full list of artwork winners:
Junior Infants:
1st prize: Ava Andrew, St Leonards National School, Ballycullane
2nd prize: Tuiren Doyle, Ballyduff National School
3rd prize: Julia Whelan, Ballyduff National School
Highly Commended: Sariad Holmes, St Kevin's National School, Tara Hill
Highly Commended: Tess Devereux, Piercestown National School
Senior infants:
1st prize: Elena Caffery, Scoil Naomh Bríde
2nd prize: Amy O'Keeffe, St Leonards National School, Ballycullane
Highly Commended: Eva Flynn, Rathnure National School
Highly Commended: Cian McHale, Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns
First and Second class:
1st prize: Kallum Hennessy, Greene Kilmore National School
Joint 2nd prize: James Kahwati, Glynn National School
Joint 2nd prize: Arthur James, Danescastle National School
Joint 3rd prize: Saoirse Egan, Gusserane National School
Joint 3rd prize:Shayna Walsh, Glynn National School
Third and Fourth class:
1st prize: Ella Roche, Kilmore National School
2nd prize: Faye Bernadette Murphy, Kilmore National School
Joint 3rd prize: Ella Tobin, Scoil Ghormáin Naofa ,Castletown
Joint 3rd prize: Hanna Doyle, Ballyduff National School
Highly Commended: Dillon O'Neill, St Kevin's National School, Tara Hill
Fifth and Sixth class:
1st prize: Hanna Violet Walsh, Kennedy Park National School
Joint 2nd: Rachael Gahan, Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns
Joint 2nd: Cathal Bowe, Ballyduff National School
3rd prize: Addison O' Leary, Scoil Naomh Bríde, Blackwater
Highly Commended: Mila Barry Mythen, Kilmore National School
First year – Third year:
1st prize: Conan Kelly, St Peters College, Wexford
2nd prize: Shara Alcock ,Selskar College, Wexford
Joint 3rd prize: Krisztina Barta, Selskar College, Wexford
Joint 3rd prize: Lucy Salisbury, Kennedy College, New Ross
Highly Commended: Logan Murray, St Peters College, Wexford
Fourth year – Sixth year:
1st prize: James Furlong, St Peters College
Joint 2nd: Niamh O'Connor, Kennedy College, New Ross
Joint 2nd: Cormac Deane, St Peters College, Wexford
3rd: Darragh Sherlock, St Peters College, Wexford
Highly Commended: Luke Burke Kennedy College, New Ross
Overall Winner Primary School: Alice Buki Nemeth, Glynn National School
Overall Winner Secondary School: Leon Carthy, Selskar College
Snap Into Action Primary School Winners:
Winner: Danescastle National School
Runner Up: Ballyoughter National School
Runner Up: Kilmyshall National School
Snap Into Action Community Group Winners:
Winner: Enniscorthy Tidy Towns
