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Meath Gaelscoil wins prize worth €10,000 as overall winners of the Nature Hero Award

SCOIL UÍ GHRAMHNAIGH in Rath Chairn, Co Meath, has been declared this year's winner of the Nature Hero Award, sponsored by Glenveagh. The Nature Hero Award is an accolade that recognises exceptional work by pupils and staff in schools across Ireland who have put together projects to help nature and encourage biodiversity. The Gaelscoil took home the prize thanks to their spectacular efforts in creating new habitats for pollinators around the school, a 'No Mow'-zone in outdoor spaces, and a strong ecoliteracy programme for teachers and students alike. Mark Stedman Mark Stedman The school was provided with a certificate and a plaque to mark their win, as well as a prize of a €10,000 school garden makeover as a reward for their outstanding commitment to preserving nature and biodiversity. The competition was fierce this year, with over 300 schools across the country competing, representing over 90,000 school children from pre-school to all the way up to senior cycle students. Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh's coordinating teacher, Diarmaid Ó hAlmhain, said: 'Is onóir mhór dúinn anseo i Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh bheith pioctha don ghradam seo. 'Tá sé go hálainn an taitheantas a fháil ar an obair ar fad atá déanta ar scoil ó thaobh grá don nádúr agus an bhithéagsúlacht a mhúscailt sna páistí agus spás a chruthú don dúlra.' Mark Stedman Mark Stedman 'Winning the Nature Hero Awards is an amazing honour for us here in Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh. We are enormously proud of what the children have achieved with the help and support of our amazing teachers and the whole school community here in Ráth Chairn,' said Ó hAlmhain. Advertisement 'It's so important to instil a love of nature in the next generation and to give them an understanding of the importance of biodiversity at a local level. 'Our pupils have had an amazing time transforming our school grounds into a biodiversity haven, and they are thrilled at this accolade. We look forward to using our prize to transform our school garden for everyone to enjoy.' Mark Stedman Mark Stedman Speaking about the 2025 programme, Mark Nolan, Director of Biodiversity in Schools congratulated all of the schools who were commended by this year's awards: 'Congratulations to Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh, who have shown superb leadership in outdoor learning and a massive well done to all the schools who achieved 'Nature Hero' status this year. A special thank you to Glenveagh Homes for their continued support of this great initiative.' Sponsored by Glenveagh , the award is an incentive for schools, teachers, students and communities to learn more about biodiversity and what we can all do in our communities to protect nature. Annette McGarry, Head of Community Engagement at Glenveagh commented: 'We're proud to collaborate with Biodiversity in Schools on this excellent educational initiative, and delighted to see so many schools and children participate this year. 'We congratulate Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh on their fantastic achievement in winning this national award. 'Biodiversity plays such an important role in every community and we're incredibly proud to support this brilliant initiative over the last four years – comhghairdeachas to all the children at Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh'. Mark Stedman Mark Stedman Applications for next year's award open in September, and participating schools will have over six months to complete the form in full. The Nature Hero Awards programme is open to every school across the country. Registration can be completed online, with Biodiversity in Schools coordinators on hand to support teachers and children throughout the entire process. Beyond the top prize, schools can also win other awards, including the Bronze Badger, Silver Stag and Golden Eagle Awards, along with a spot prize pack worth over €2,000. If you're a teacher or a parent and you'd like to learn more about the Nature Hero Award ahead of next year's awards, find out more here from Glenveagh . To stay updated, follow on social media @GlenveaghHomes or check out this link .