Cork School Garden Competition Celebrates Excellence in Sustainable Education

Strategic Insights -

In a testament to the power of sustainability and environmental education, the Cork School Garden Competition has brought together primary schools across Cork County and City to showcase their remarkable school gardens. The annual competition, co-sponsored by Cork County Council and Cork City Council, has seen thirty-two schools participate in the 2025 event, with Coachford National School in Macroom taking home the Overall Best County School Garden award. The competition, which has been running since 2012, continues to gain popularity with each year showcasing increased creativity, innovation, and biodiversity in the gardens.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cork School Garden Competition is an annual event co-sponsored by Cork County Council and Cork City Council, inviting primary schools in Cork County and City to participate and showcase their school gardens.
  • The 2025 competition saw thirty-two schools participate, with Coachford National School in Macroom winning the Overall Best County School Garden award.
  • The competition has been running since 2012 and continues to gain popularity, showcasing increased creativity, innovation, and biodiversity in the gardens each year.
  • Students participating in the competition demonstrated a high level of knowledge and awareness in creating vibrant, functional, and biodiverse spaces that support local and native plant and animal species.
  • Students also showcased an impressive capacity to rethink, repair, refurbish, reuse, recycle, and upcycle materials, thus revitalizing their gardens, reducing CO2 emissions, and minimizing landfill waste.
  • Muintir na Tire has been organizing the competition since 2012, with Yvonne Cahalane serving as Chair of the Muintir na Tire committee.
  • Cllr. Michael Looney has commended the students and teachers of Coachford National School for their remarkable accomplishment in winning the Overall Best County School Garden award.

Statistics:

  • Thirty-two schools participated in the 2025 Cork School Garden Competition.
  • Thirty-three schools participated in total, from Youghal to Derinagree and from Curraglass to Skibbereen.
  • The competition has been running since 2012.
  • The competition showcases increased creativity, innovation, and biodiversity in the gardens each year.

Sources:

  • "Cork School Garden Competition Celebrates Excellence in Sustainable Education" (News release from Cork County Council and Cork City Council).
  • Muintir na Tire website (for more information on the Muintir na Tire Cork School Garden Competition).
  • Yvonne Cahalane's statement as Chair of the Muintir na Tire committee.
  • Cllr. Michael Looney's statement commending the students and teachers of Coachford National School for their achievement in the 2025 competition.