Students from 12 schools were honoured at an award ceremony celebrating the winners of this year’s Green-Schools Marine Spatial Planning Poster and Photography Competitions, with Freya Coveney, a student of Eureka Secondary School, Co. Meath, named as the overall winner of the Secondary School category. Twelve students were awarded for depicting their vision for the future of Ireland’s ocean and coast through posters in the “Every Sea Tells a Story” Poster competition, while three students were awarded in the “My Sea, My Story” photography competition.
In partnership with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Green-Schools invited students to design posters illustrating how they envision Ireland’s seas being used in the future. The competition aligns with the National Marine Planning Framework, which seeks to balance the various demands on Ireland’s marine territory while protecting and conserving the marine environment. Marine planning focuses on deciding when and where human activities take place at sea, ensuring they are carried out in the most efficient and sustainable way possible. The competition was open to schools participating in the Green-Schools Marine Environment theme, which encourages students to learn about the importance of the ocean, take action to reduce marine litter, and raise awareness within their local communities about how to protect the marine environment.
Alison Monaghan, a second-year student at Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath, also received an award for her photograph My Father and Dog at the Beach. Alison viewed her image as a striking representation of how increasingly severe storms are washing unexpected items ashore, a visible reminder of the growing impacts of global warming and climate change. Together, the entries highlight not only the remarkable talent of the young photographers, but also their deep connections to friends, family, and the marine environment.
Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, congratulated the winners of the Green Schools Marine Spatial Planning Competition today. Minister Dooley said: “I would like to congratulate all who took part in this competition. It is heartening to see that the ideas that the Green-Schools programme conveys were embraced so imaginatively by students around our island.”
Also speaking at the awards ceremony, Green-Schools National Manager, Joanne Scott, said: “I am truly inspired by the winning entries. The students captured the theme with remarkable creativity, colour, and passion, producing artwork that beautifully reflects innovative ways to protect and value our seas. A huge thank you to everyone who took part. It has been a pleasure to celebrate your talent in person at today’s event.”
Pictured above; Freya Coveney of Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath took the national prize in the Secondary School category of the Green-Schools Marine Spatial Planning Poster Competition.
Winning students and schools:
“Every Sea Tells a Story” Poster Competition
Category: Junior Primary
National Winner: Emily Foley, Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School, Co. Dublin
Regional Winner, East and Midlands: Victoria Yan-Rock, St Gerard’s Junior School, Co. Wicklow
Regional Winner, North and West: Emma D’Arcy, Bohola National School, Bohola, Co. Mayo
Regional Winner, South: Harry Ó Ceallaigh, Gaelscoil Chluain Meala, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Category: Senior Primary
National Winner, Liliana Austin, Killeen National School, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
Regional Winner, Dublin: Rozalia Grabe, Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe, Swords, Co. Dublin
Regional Winner, East and Midlands: Lara Burton, St. Gerard’s Junior School, Bray, Co. Wicklow
Regional Winner, South: Sarah Lacey, Scoil Naomh Erc, Glenderry, Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry
Category: Secondary School
National Winner: Freya Coveney, Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath
Regional Winner: Ella Foley, Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath
Regional Winner: Hanna Bolzhelarska, Corran College, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
Regional Winner: Erin Dootson, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford, Co. Mayo
“My Sea, My Story” Photography Competition:
National Winner: Lottie Billington, Sacred Heart School, Westport, Co. Mayo
Highly Commended: Alison Monaghan, Eureka Secondary School, Kells, Co. Meath
Highly Commended: Andrew Clancy, Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
