Muintir na Tíre Launch Cork School Garden Competition supported by Cork County and Cork City Councils

There was an air of spring in Atkins Garden World as The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Danny Collins and the deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Damian Boylan joined together to launch the Cork Schools Garden Competition 2023

Sponsored by Cork County and Cork City Councils and organised by Cork County Muintir na Tíre, the competition has a PRIZE FUND of over €5,000.

The Annual Cork School Garden Competition is open to all primary schools in Cork city and county who have a school garden or are in the process of developing one.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Sean Holland of Muintir na Tire said: “If a School has a School Garden or they are thinking about developing one, then the Cork School Garden Competition might be the competition for them. There were so many categories and awards and the competition is open to new or existing gardens, big and small.” (Full list of Categories below) Mr Holland thanked Cork County Council and Cork City Council for their ongoing sponsorship. He also thanked Mr Mark Wolfe and Mr Ger Crowley of Atkins Garden World for all their support. 

The Mayor of County Cork Cllr. Danny Collins welcomed the launch of the annual schools competition, “Activities that that can help children to learn the importance of nature while staying active are crucial for health and wellbeing. Since its establishment in 2012, the Muintir na Tire School Garden Competition has inspired thousands of students across Cork County to embrace the outdoors and Cork County Council is very proud to have supported the competition each year I urge all schools around the county to consider signing up this year, whether a new entrant or a long established participant, we want to see students from every town and village involved.”

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Damian Boylan commented “Cork City Council is proud to join with Muintir na Tire, Cork County Council  and Atkins Garden World in this great initiative and I encourage all primary schools in the City to enter it.  Participation in the competition allows children to develop a love for gardening and their environment and allows an opportunity to learn from the other schools. He added that Cork City Council is very proud to be supporting this competition”

Special guests included Shireen Rountree (Principal) Eliza Canty Nathan Canty and Jonah Canty representing  Ballymoney National School Ballineen Overall County winners in 2022 and Eamonn Ó Ceallaigh (teacher) June Leahy (Parent) Finn Ó Baolghill and John Ó Broin representing Gaelscoil na Duglaise City overall City winners in 2022.

Cork County Council were represented by Louis Duffy Director of Environment and Emergency Services. Heritage Officer Conor Nelligan, Katherine Corkery and Michelle Green Environment Directorate.

Cork City Council were represented by Mary Walsh and Loraine Leahy from the Community, Culture & Placemaking Directorate.

Cork County Federation Muintir na Tire were represented by Mr Sean Holland, Finbarr Motherway, Pauline O Dwyer, Yvonne Cahalane, Nuala Lynch and Denis Kelly. Atkins Garden World were represented by Manager Ger Crowley.

Full competition details also available from Cork County Federation Muintir na Tíre 8 Sidney Place, Wellington Road, Cork City telephone 0214500688

Closing date for Competition Entry: Good Friday 7th April 2023

To enter online go to muintircork.com and follow links.

or email  admin@muintircork.com for more information.

Awards and Categories

Up-Cycling Upcycling in the garden helps lessen the amount of waste going into landfills. Upcycling helps reduce CO2 emissions by using old materials instead of new ones. Schools are encouraged to rethink, repair, refurbish along with reusing & recycling items, e.g. Fairy Houses made from recycled materials, but don’t damage trees.

Food Production Being able to grow food without pesticides and eat it straight from the garden is superior in every way to produce that is pumped full of additives, packed to prevent it deteriorating, transported and then sold as ‘fresh’. Schools are asked to grow in raised beds and containers, Plant Fruit Trees, Fruit Bushes, Practice Rotation, Weeding, Labelling, Use of Composting, Rain Water Harvesting and Wormeries etc.

Biodiversity/Wildlife/ Native Flowers and Plants. It is now widely recognized that climate change and biodiversity are interconnected. Biodiversity is affected by climate change, with negative consequences for human well-being, but biodiversity, through the ecosystem services it supports, also makes an important contribution to both climate-change mitigation and adaptation. We are looking for natural hedges, log piles, bird boxes, bird tables, wildflower meadows, nature trails, use of native flora, organic manures and natural pest control.

Bee Friendly Garden. Loss of natural and semi-natural habitats has been a key driver in pollinator declines. The availability of food plants and nesting sites has been drastically reduced through conversion of low-intensity farmland and semi-natural land to intensive farmland, forestry and urban/industrial use. We will again be presenting a special award for the school which is most bee friendly and encourages pollination

Gardening ‘As Gaeilge’ The use of Irish in the garden. For example, tree names in Irish, labelling and other signage in Irish.

Art and colour Using art and Colour in the garden to enhance its features and characteristics. Try using upcycled .materials

Imaginative use of limited space. For schools with very limited space i.e. Small Courtyards, Limited Soil Space, Use of Tubs, Containers, Window Boxes, Paths, Borders, Walls etc.

Innovation and Creativity In recognition of the Creative Ireland Programme, this category encourages innovative garden elements, using new and unique features to inspire others

Fun and Play The degree to which the garden contributes to opportunities for fun and play in the school

Learning experience The degree to which the garden is used as a learning tool within the school and the amount of children who participate.

Community Involvement / Heritage the degree to which the wider community support the design, construction and ongoing development of the school garden. How the garden relates to local Heritage and how it reflects the history of the local community

Cork School Gardens of the Year.Overall best Garden in Cork City  Overall best Garden in County Cork. All schools who enter are automatically entered for these Awards depending on their location.