Two Offaly winners honoured at National Climate Ambassador Awards
A group of TY students from Sacred Heart School in Tullamore, and a representative of Tullamore Lions Club, were among ten recipients honoured with 'outstanding achievement' accolades at the National Climate Ambassador Awards in Dublin.
The awards, organised by An Taisce, took place on Saturday, November 22, in the historic Tailors’ Hall, Dublin 8, the same room where President Catherine Connolly recently delivered a powerful speech on climate justice.
Ten awards were presented, with the honoured climate ambassadors comprising organic farmers and horticulturists, Lions Clubbers, educators, sustainable travellers, active retirees, Tidy Towners, TY and college students.
The two Offaly winners included Sacred Heart School, Tullamore, TY Students Grace Ward, Fiadh Brennan, Brynn Mulhall, Angie Sewell, Migle Vasiliauskaite, and their teacher Clare Faherty.
Outlining the reasons for their award, An Taisce said the "young changemakers" from Tullamore were "an impressive example" of how to unite a community in cross-generational climate action.
"They connected with their council for climate conservation, and worked with local gardeners and an over-60s climate group," it said.
"This group got not just their own school involved in planet protection, but also worked with primary and secondary schools across their local area, engaging hundreds of people.
"Their events ranged from running an E-waste recycling day, coordinating tree planting efforts, school uniform swap shops, to a bake sale, which raised funds for future green projects.
"On the night of the awards, the ladies continued to lead by example, by wearing impressive outfits that they sustainably sourced through Vinted and other sites."
Offaly's other 'outstanding achievement' winner at the awards, Michael Carroll, was recognised for his role as a climate ambassador with Tullamore Lions Club.
"As a Climate Ambassador, Michael has brought dedication, leadership and visibility to peatland conservation and has shown what’s possible when passion meets action," the award organisers said.
"With a background in telecommunications and logistics, Michael stepped into the world of nature restoration and peatland conservation with a real purpose.
"As a member of the Tullamore Lions Club and chairperson of the Clonbeale More Peatland Conservation Group, he helped lead Phase One of the project over two full years.
"His aim for 2025 was to raise awareness of the environmental and community benefits of peatland restoration among Lions Clubs across Ireland and encourage others to embark on similar projects in their area."
The Climate Ambassador Programme, with the support of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, has been in operation since 2017.
An Taisce said the programme continues to expand, "as proactive citizens decide to upskill in climate science, solutions and communications, enabling them, with support from An Taisce and a strong network of dedicated peers, to carry out climate action."
"Throughout the year, Climate Ambassadors engaged their communities in enhancing biodiversity, coastal conservation, freshwater ecology, the circular economy, environmental education, nature restoration, sustainable travel, climate communication through the arts, sustainable energy, tree planting, rewilding, peatland preservation, flood mapping and prevention, and environmental advocacy," it added.