By Dan Walsh
Over 250 children, community groups, volunteers, resident groups and individuals attended the Wexford County Council Annual Environment Awards at the Ferrycarrig Hotel for an occasion of tremendous celebration of the environment and voluntary effort.
Elected members from all districts were available to present awards to 11 schools, 63 community groups and two individuals. Cllr John Fleming, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, warmly welcomed and congratulated all the participants and went on to recognise the commitment and dedication of all committees and individuals who make such a real difference at a local level.
Carolyne Godkin, Director of Services said: “I’m struck not only by the level of commitment you make on a voluntary basis but also the quality and diversity of work being carried out and indeed the creativity and innovation we see from you as dedicated local volunteers. It is the hours you spend in your communities that enhances our County, helps Keep Wexford Beautiful and ensures that we continue to be known as ‘The Model County’.
The overall winners of the Keep Wexford Beautiful Competition were Blackwater Tidy Towns, and master of ceremonies, Alan McGuire, stated as he announced this award that “it’s not surprising that Blackwater Village is the Overall Winner in the Keep Wexford Beautiful Awards 2023, having already won Gold in the National Tidy Towns competition.”
The schools were well represented with eleven schools receiving presentations from Cllr John Fleming, Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, New Ross Educate Together National School and St Edan’s National School, Ferns were all recognised for receiving their first green flag and presented with a nest box sponsored by The Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club.
Coláiste an Atha, Kilmuckridge, Gorey Community School, Loreto Secondary School, Wexford, Ramsgrange Community School and Selskar College were awarded certificates for their participation in the Rubbish Film Festival Programme. Mercy School Wexford was awarded a Plaque as the overall primary school winner in the Christmas Decoration Competition 2022 for their group entry entitled ‘The Christmas Tree’. The entry was created by students Tomás Meyler, Fionn Quirke and Blake Thomas.
Full List of Award Winners;
GREEN SCHOOLS; Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, New Ross Educate Together National School, New Ross and St Edan’s National School, Ferns
ANNUAL ENVIRONMENT ARTWORK COMPETITION Overall Primary School Winner – Conan Kelly, Wexford Educate Together National School. Overall Secondary School Winner – Mikolaj Perek, Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge
CHRISTMAS DECORATION COMPETITION Overall Primary School Winner – Mercy School, Wexford, Rubbish Film Festival Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge, Gorey Community School, Loreto Secondary School, Wexford, Ramsgrange Community School, Selskar College, Wexford, School Battery Champion Ramsgrange Community School.
WEXFORD’S CLEANEST SCHOOL Kilmyshall National School.
SNAP INTO ACTION COMPETITION Community Group Winner – Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group.
KEEP WEXFORD BEAUTIFUL COMPETITION Overall Winner Blackwater Tidy Towns. Best Environmentally Aware and Presented Housing Estate; 1st Westwinds Residents Association, Kilrane; Joint 2nd; Carraig Dubh Residents Association. Blackwater and Watch House Village Residents Group, Clonegal; 3rd Hazelwood Residents Association, Gorey. Highly Commended Bridgemeadow Residents Association. Highly Commended Ounavarra Park Residents Association, Ballycanew. Best Environmentally Aware and Presented Town/Village; 1st Kilanerin Tidy Towns, 2nd Gorey Tidy Towns, Joint 3rd Kiltealy Tidy Towns and Bunclody Tidy Towns. Highly Commended Ballyduff Development Group. Best Community Environment Initiative; 1st Enniscorthy Community Allotments, 2nd Monageer Parish Grotto Group, 3rd Rosslare Harbour Kilrane Environment Group. Highly Commended Clonard Area Development Association, Wexford. Best Heritage Preservation and Conservation Project; 1st Duncormick Area Action CLG, Joint 2nd Gorey Tidy Towns and Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns, Joint 3rd Tomhaggard Pastoral Council and Ferns Tidy Towns. Highly Commended Killanne Development Group. Highly Commended Ballymurn Tidy Towns. Best Community Coastal Management Initiative; 1st Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group, 2nd Courtown Community Council, 3rd Rosslare Harbour Kilrane Environment Group.
BEST NEW ENTRY; 1st St Brendan’s Residents Association, Rosslare Harbour, 2nd Community of Oulart Womens Society, 3rd Wexford Bat Group. Highly Commended Talbot Greenfingers, Wexford. Highly Commended Ballindaggin Development Group / Ballindaggin Tidy Towns. Best Community Project To Improve Accessibility to Infrastructure; 1st Kiltealy Tidy Towns. Best Community Project to Improve Accessibility in Gardens / Parks; 1st Taghmon Action Group, 2nd Monageer Parish Grotto Group, 3rd Gorey Tidy Towns. Highly Commended Foulksmills Tidy Towns. Best Community Project That Tackles And Reduces the Impact Of Climate Change; 1st Sustainable Enniscorthy, 2nd Ferns Tidy Towns. Best Community Biodiversity Project; 1st Monageer Parish Grotto Group, 2nd Enniscorthy Tidy Towns, Joint 3rd Bridgetown Community Development and Kiltealy Tidy Towns. Highly Commended Clonegal Tidy Village Association; Best Community Waste Prevention/Re-Use Project; 1st Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group, 2nd Foulksmills Tidy Towns, 3rd Carrig on Bannow Tidy Towns. Highly commended Boolavogue Tidy Towns.
North Wexford 2K Clean; 1st Hollyfort Development Group, 2nd The Gap Tidy Towns Heritage Group, 3rd Askamore Community Council/Tidy Towns. Outstanding Individual Contribution to Wexford’s Environment; Mary Cogley and Catherine Redmond.
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