Wexford’s Biodiversity promoted through Art

Young artists from schools all around County Wexford received their awards for the Wexford County Council Annual Artwork Competition 2023 in the County Hall on Thursday 25th May. The artwork competition is an initiative run by the Environment Section of Wexford County Council in conjunction with Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club. The theme of this year’s competition was ‘Wildflowers.’ Councillor George Lawlor, Cathaoirleach Wexford County Council, presented prizes to 40 school children representing both primary and secondary schools.

Councillor George Lawlor stated ‘that the aim of the competition was to raise awareness of the importance of Wexford’s environment and to encourage all to explore its uniqueness as something to be valued and cherished. We wanted all to further explore Wexford’s magnificent flora, to add a new dimension to a country walk by drawing your attention to the amazing but often overlooked beauty of what is growing along the way. Even in the earliest parts of the year, there are wildflowers to be found, and when you get into the habit of looking at every hedgerow, field, grass margin and ditch, you’ll be well rewarded. I encourage you all to look for the extra ordinary in the ordinary. Dandelions, clover, ivy and nettles are hugely important to the ecosystem. They provide habitats for the different stages of the life cycle of many insects’. He stated that ‘The artwork displayed here today reminds, us all to look after our environment, a precious legacy for generations to come. We all have a role to play in learning more about biodiversity and protecting the natural heritage of Wexford.’ Councillor Lawlor thanked Don Conroy for providing the colouring sheet and thanked Wexford Naturalists’ Field Club for supporting the competition and sponsoring birdboxes. He also praised the young artists present and encouraged them to maintain a healthy respect for the environment as part of their lives. The overall winner from Primary Schools was Conan Kelly, Wexford Educate Together National School and the overall winner from Secondary Schools was Mikolaj Perek of Colaiste an Átha Kilmuckridge. Prizes were also presented for the Snap into Action Competition, which is open to both schools and community groups. This competition encourages people from all walks of life to take action against litter. Kilmyshall National School received first prize in the Snap Into Action School Competition and received a prize for €500. Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group were the winners in the Snap Into Action Community Group Competition and received a prize of €500. Enniscorthy Community Allotments, Enniscorthy Tidy Towns and Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns were presented with runner up award of €250. Councillor George Lawlor congratulated all involved and praised the groups for all their voluntary work in Keeping Wexford Beautiful. Full List of Artwork Winners: Junior Infants 1st prize Sadie Mae Earle Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns 2nd prize Erin Rowan Glynn National School 3rd prize Áine Redmond Ballymurm National School Highly CommendedElla Xu Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns Senior Infants 1st prize Willow Lacey Castlebridge National School 2nd prize Olivia Augustyniak Scoil Naomh Maodhóg 3rd prize Sarah Gainfort Castlebridge National School Highly CommendedMillie Martin Screen National School Highly CommendedClodagh Kehoe Castlebridge National School 1st & 2nd Class 1st prize Joey Fitzpatrick Sinnott Glynn National School 2nd prize Joe Casey Glynn National School 3rd prize Eoin McGrath Scoil Mhuire Rosslare Highly CommendedBobby Murray Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns Highly CommendedSophie Bates Barntown National School Highly CommendedElvi Corcoran Screen National School 3rd & 4th Class 1st prize Antek Gawliczek Ballygarrett National School Joint 2nd prize Katie McLean Bunscoil Loreto, Gorey Joint 2nd prize Lauren Ivanoff Gaelscoil Moshíológ, Guaire Joint 3rd prize Spencer Rothwell St Kevins N.S., Tara Hill Joint 3rd prize Áine Kehoe Gusserane National School Highly CommendedLavinia O'Donoghue-Donovan Ballyroebuck National School Highly CommendedMia Sheehan Gaelscoil Moshíológ, Guaire Highly CommendedOllie Bates Kilmore National School 5th & 6th Class 1st prize Mia Kent Gusserane National School 2nd prize Ella McGrath Danescastle National School Joint 3rd prize Ciara Sinnott Danescastle National School Joint 3rd prize Katelyn Corish Scoil Mhuire Horeswood Highly CommendedAnastasiia Serduik Scoil Mhuire Rosslare Highly CommendedEmily Xu Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns Highly CommendedRuby Levingston Bunscoil Loreto, Guaire Highly CommendedEimear Comerford Gaelscoil Moshíológ, Guaire 1st - 3rd year 1st prize Heidi S. J. Culleton St Mary's, New Ross Joint 2nd prize James Furlong St Peter's College, Wexford Joint 2nd prize Sidra Al Shahrour St Mary's, New Ross 3rd prize Isabel Farrelly Millar Presentation , Wexford Highly CommendedEvelina Zharska Selskar College, Wexford Highly CommendedAva Fortune Presentation, Wexford Highly CommendedAdam Skonieczny St Peter's College, Wexford Overall Winner Primary School Conan Kelly Wexford Educate Together National School Overall Winner Secondary School Mikolaj Perek Colaiste an Atha, Kilmuckridge Snap Into Action Primary School Winners Winner Kilmyshall National School Snap Into Action Community Group Winners Winner Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group Runner Up Enniscorthy Community Allotments Runner Up Enniscorthy Tidy Towns Runner Up Kilmuckridge Tidy Towns