Young people from every corner of County Galway gathered at County Hall for the announcement of the winners of Galway County Council’s annual Anti-Litter Poster Competition.
With the secondary school competition winners having already been announced earlier this year, it was the turn of the primary school and individual entrants to showcase their posters.
Almost 1,000 entries were received in the competition which highlighted themes relating to the importance of creating and maintaining a litter free county, how litter takes from the beauty of the landscape, the public’s responsibility not to drop litter, how to properly use public bins, and the importance of leaving no trace by bringing any waste home.
Ava Belton, a 3rd class student from Kiltartan National School was named overall winner of the ‘Primary Schools’ category of the competition, while Claudia Coyle of Ballinderreen won the ‘Individual’ category.
Councillor Ollie Turner, the Leas Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway said, “The competition winners are representative of the talents of the hundreds of people who entered.”
“The high standard made it very difficult for the judges to select the best entries as each entrant created their very own personal work of art which also reflected their attitude towards littering.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council commented,” The Poster Competition is part of our ongoing Anti-Litter programme to encourage everybody to be part of the drive to make our County Litter Free as it is everyone’s responsibility to keep Galway clean.”
“Galway County Council recognises the important role schools and individuals play in delivering environmental awareness, and I want to thank everyone who takes part in our many environmental initiatives.”
Jacqueline Carroll, Director of Services for Rural & Community Development, Integration and Environment stated, “The competition provided the entrants with a great opportunity to develop their learning experiences by showing their creativity through language and art and increasing their awareness and responsibility for the environment.”
“Galway County Council is delighted with the response in these Anti-Litter Poster Competitions. We plan to run the competitions again in 2025 and to continue with our efforts to make Galway Litter Free,” added Ms. Carroll.
Anti-Litter Poster Competition winners:
Overall winner of ‘Primary Schools’ category: Ava Belton, 3rd Class in Kiltartan NS.
Junior Infants: (1st) Oliver Green, Carnaun NS; (2nd) Oisín Lucas, Ballinderreen NS; (3rd) Aoife Ní Fhátharta, SN Inis Meáin; (Highly Commended – HC) Leia Barry, Cleggan NS.
Senior Infants: (1st) Hugh Gavin, Claddaghduff NS; (2nd) Leila da Silva, Cahergal NS; (3rd) Éanna Ó Fátharta, SN Inis Meáin; (HC) Conall Ó Mainín (Scoil Éinne Spidéal)
1st Class: (1st) Mya O’Sullivan Bourke, Kiltiernan NS; (2nd) Leighton Ward, Kiltiernan NS; (3rd) Liam Melia, Collinamuck NS; (HC) First class of St. Annins NS, Rosscahill.
2nd Class: (1st) Leah Ní Fhóighil, Scoil Éinne Spidéal; (2nd) Jack Connolly, Kiltiernan NS; (3rd) Ava Tuohy, Lough Cutra NS; (HC) Tori Kilkenny, Kiltormer NS.
3rd Class: (1st) Thomas Heffernan, Kiltiernan NS; (2nd) Eleanor Marascal, SN Inis Meáin; (3rd) Zoe Brannelly, Monivea; (HC) NS Sophie Ní Cheallaigh, SN Aird Mhóir
4th Class: (1st) Lauren Cloonan, Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore; (2nd) Kate O’Sullivan, Scoil Mhuire Oranmore; (3rd) Elsa Flood, Scoil Mhuire Moycullen; (HC) Aoife Mannion, Glinsk; Oran Gillespie, Craughwell NS; Sophia Morgan, Kiltullagh NS; Sophie O’Grady, Northampton NS; Nicole Barrett, Ballymacward NS.
5th Class: (1st) Sophie Cosgrave, Crumlin NS; (2nd) Sinéad Ní Mhaoláin, SN Thír an Fhia; (3rd) Aishling Forde, Kiltartan NS; (HC) Ryan Walsh, Clonberne NS; Aoibhín McDermott, Maree NS.
6th Class: (1st) Ellie Walsh, Claddaghduff NS; (2nd) Shauna Belton, Kiltartan NS; (3rd) Jimmy Ó Maolalaidh, SN Thír an Fhia; (HC) Darragh O’Halloran, Collinamuck NS; (HC) Caoimhe Early, Ballyconneely NS.
Overall winner of ‘Individual’ category: Claudia Coyle, Ballinderreen.
Individual 6 & under: 1st Laura Walsh; 2nd Ailbhe Little; 3rd Lisa Conneely.
Individual 8 & under: 1st Finn Bennett; 2nd Tom Sammon; 3rd Rory Sammon HC Chloe Beirne, Ava Walsh.
Individual 10 & under: 1st Darragh Wang; 2nd Isabelle Barrett; 3rd Niall Keane.
Individual 12 & under: 1st Karen O’Malley; 2nd Jamie Ward; 3rd Ellen Keane.
13 to 18 years: 1st Mariia Novikova; 2nd Erin Godswill; 3rd Youth Reach Tuam.
