Birr school wins regional honour at Green-Schools awards

Gaelscoil na Laochra, Birr, has been named a regional Water School of the Year at the prestigious An Taisce Green-Schools Awards, held in Dublin.

The school secured top honours in the primary category, recognised for its inspiring commitment to water conservation and environmental stewardship.

At the heart of this success is a vibrant and inclusive Green-Schools committee, which ensured that student voices from across the school community were represented. By encouraging participation from diverse groups of pupils, the committee fostered a strong sense of ownership, collaboration and shared responsibility for environmental action.

Their efforts delivered impressive results: the school reduced its water usage by 1,407 litres—a remarkable 32% decrease overall. This achievement highlights the power of collective action and practical, student-led initiatives.

The wider school community also played a vital role in this journey. Parents and families actively participated in a series of engaging Action Days, including a Riverside Walk, where students and parents explored local waterways together. Another standout initiative saw students visit a swimming pool, offering a unique, sensory experience that deepened their understanding and appreciation of water.

The school also successfully integrated water themes across the curriculum, making strong connections between water conservation, water safety, science and geography. This holistic approach ensured that students developed not only awareness, but a meaningful and lasting understanding of the importance of water.

The Green-Schools water theme supports schools at both primary and secondary levels, encouraging students to take meaningful action while developing a deeper understanding of water conservation and the importance of protecting our natural resources.