Monksland NS achieve fourth Green Flag for sustainable transport
CONGRATULATIONS to Monksland NS, Green-School’s Coordinator Antoinette McKay, Principal John Farrell and the Green-School’s Committee for achieving their fourth Green-Flag for Sustainable Transport.
This was achieved through brilliant initiatives such as “Bring a friend on Friday” to encourage carpooling and WOW days ( Walk on Wednesday) which have almost 100% participation.
As part of their Green-School’s programme Monksland NS participated in a Green-School’s Greenway project that ran over a number of weeks in anticipation of Bike Week 2018.
Pat O’Rourke, Louth County Council, visited the school to talk about the old Cooley Railway line as a foundation for a Greenway, a great route for a safe commute. The old railway tracks run perpendicular to the school and Pat was delighted to see the school using old sleepers for the beds of their pollinator friendly garden nearby.
Sorcha Brophy, Green-School’s Travel Officer ran a “Get in Gear” course for parents and staff interested in facilitating group cycling. Sorcha also ran a “Cycle Skills” workshops with the senior classes.
The highlight of the project was a cycle by Monksland NS 5th and 6th class from Carlingford Marina to Greer’s Quay along Carlingford Lough Greenway. The weather was glorious and all enjoyed a well earned ice-cream afterwards! The cycle was a great success thanks to parents and staff volunteering to supervise the cycle. Thanks also to Paul Mackin & Barry Casey of Louth Sport’s Partnership for organising and funding transport and snacks on the day.
Bike Week runs from 10th-18th June. Green-School’s all across the country will participate in National COW (Cycle on Wednesday) on their journeys to school on the 13th June.
For more info on Bike Week see www. greenschoolsireland.org / www.bikeweek.ie or simply ditch the car and get on your bike! THE Carlingford Heritage Centre, supported by Create, Louth, proudly present their 9th Summer Concert series with John McIntyre, Zoe Conway and friends.
The series starts on Sunday July 29 with special guest Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, the Bothy Band singer and pianist. On Sunday August 5, percussionist Alex Petcu will guest and a week later,
On Sunday August 12, it is the turn of dancer, Caitlin Nic Gabhann and fiddler, Ciarann Maloney. Eoin Dillon, the uileann piper of Kila fame, appears with John and Zoe on Sunday August 19 and the final concert on Sunday August 26 has Hot House singer and pianist, Liam O’Maonlai as special guest.
Each performance commences at 4 pm and the admission is €10. Pre booking is available at 042-9373454.