Ballintleva NS 'very proud' to take home Tidy Towns schools award for second year
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Ballintleva N.S. won the Tidy Towns Best School award for the North West and Midwest region for the second consecutive year.
The North West and Midwest region takes in Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
The local school was one of the Top 4 schools in the country and went to Croke Park last week to attend the Tidy Towns Awards Ceremony.
"It's really great news again this year," said Principal Pádraig O' Callaghan. "This competition is open to primary and secondary schools of all sizes. As a small rural school, we are very proud to receive this accolade two years in a row.
"We’re so proud of this achievement and so thankful to our amazing parents, neighbours, and community who help to make our school such a beautiful place to learn and grow. And of course, well done to our wonderful students for making sure Ballintleva N.S. continues to be a shining example of biodiversity, sustainability, and pride of place."
The school was honoured for it's many biodiversity features. “The area that the school is located in is beautiful. We have a fruit orchard, bug hotels, raised vegetable beds, a rain water harvester, and a biodiversity wall where the kids can learn all about the wildlife in the local area.
"Since achieving the award last year, we have added a state of the art astroturf to our school facilities. We are also very proud of our new solar panels. We can now harvest our own electricity as well as hot water. These additions are complimented by a new pollinator garden, fruit trees and recently planted natural hedging."
In attendance on the day were parents Irene Kelly and Donal Tully, pupils Ornagh Kelly (6th class) and Eanna Tully (5th class), as well as Principal Pádraig O'Callaghan.
"It was very appropriate that pupils, parents and staff were represented in Croke Park as this has been a real team effort. We are so lucky to belong to such a vibrant community and to have such good neighbours.
"Parents and neighbours have helped with gardening, maintenance and fundraising for our astroturf. We are also lucky to have such a helpful and efficient caretaker. Many people contribute and the trip to Croke Park served as recognition of this."