Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle and the Mayor of County Cork , Cllr. Joe Carroll officially launched the annual School Garden Competition.

 An invigorating sense of spring enveloped Atkins Garden World as the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dan Boyle and the Mayor of County Cork , Cllr. Joe Carroll officially launched the annual School Garden Competition.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Dan Boyle, pictured with (back row from left to right: Denis Kelly, Pauline O'Dwyer (Muintir), Emma O'Doherty, and Regina McGuire from MuineFliuch NS. Also present are Cllr. Joe Carroll, the Mayor of County Cork, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Dan Boyle, Claire Kelly from Cork City Council, Katherine Corkery from Cork County Council, and Leslie McGuire from St. Columba's GNS, Séamus De Faoite and Michelle Green from Cork County Council Environment Directorate, Sean Holland Muintir.

Seated in the front row are Rosemary McDonald from Cork City Council, Mary Moore, and Lily Murray from Scoil Maria Assumpta Ballyphehane, as well as Sophia and Sara from Muine Fliuch NS, Conor Nelligan and Caoimhe Quigley Cork County Council Yvonne Cahalane from Muintir, during the launch of the Cork Schools Garden Competition 2025.

Mary Moore, and Lily Murray from Scoil Maria Assumpta Ballyphehane, as well as Sophia and Sara from Muine Fliuch NS Pictured with the Mayor of County Cork Cllr. Joe Carroll and LordMayor of Cork Cllr. Dan Boyle at the launch of the Cork School Garden Competition 2025 in Atkins Garden World

During the event, The Mayor of County Cork , Cllr. Joe Carroll,said “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.”Councillor Boyle underscored the importance of school and community gardens in advancing Cork City Council’s biodiversity initiatives. He stated, “These initiatives contribute to our goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions within the next decade. Cork City Council is proud to collaborate with Muintir na Tire, Cork County Council, and Atkins Garden World on this creative project, and I encourage all primary schools in the city to participate. Engaging in this competition helps young people cultivate a passion for horticulture and explore various aspects of biodiversity, presenting an invaluable learning opportunity that can initiate a lifelong journey in gardening.”

Cork City Council was represented by Claire Kelly and Rosemary Mc Donald from the Community, Culture & Placemaking Directorate. The Cork County Federation of Muintir na Tire was represented by Yvonne Cahalane, Sean Holland, Pauline O'Dwyer, Tara O Donoghue and Denis Kelly, while Atkins Garden World was represented by Manager Cornelia Creedon. Cork County Council was represented by Seamus De Faoite, Michelle Greene and Katherine Corkery from the Environment Directorate. 

Muinefliuch National School, winners of the Best School Garden in Cork County in 2024, were represented by Emma O Doherty, Regina McGuire and pupils Sophia and Sara and Maria Assumpta National School, Ballyphehane who were Gold Medal winners in 2023, were represented by Mary Moore and Lily Murray.  Lesley Mc Guire represented last years City Winners St Columbas GNS Douglas.