30/03/2017

Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.

Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr Guss O’Connell officially launched the 13th annual South Dublin County Council (SDCC) EcoWeek in the County Hall, Tallaght on 27th March 2017. 

EcoWeek, which runs from the 27th – 31st March 2017, is one of the biggest events in the Council’s annual calendar of environmental awareness events aimed at ensuring engagement with all citizens of South Dublin in the challenge to protect our environment. It looks to focus people’s attention on the environment and offers a helping hand to better understand and live in harmony with it. 

Eco Week goes from strength to strength each year promoting awareness of the environment, and is a fantastic opportunity for schools, communities, business and citizens of the County to self - educate and to become part of the solution to environmental needs.  All activities and events held during the week are FREE and open to everyone to attend. This year there are close to 100 events from workshops, seminars, talks and information stands.  

Speaking at the launch, Mayor Guss O’Connell said:  “I am always amazed and delighted to see the variety of activities offered during Eco Week and this year is no exception. From ‘Irish Wildlife Trust – Wild for Nature’ workshops, to “Grow your own Community Garden”, to ‘How WEEE works” to a screening of’ The Burning Question” with Trocaire, the projects are all simply outstanding! Thankfully, society is becoming more aware of the need to be more in tune with the environment and that it can’t be taken for granted.  As individuals, we each have a responsibility to reflect on our lifestyle and see if it is supportive, or damaging, to the environment which we will pass onto the next generation. As part of the launch we have a number of young people from the County who, with fresh ears, eyes and voices, are helping us to spread this positive environmental message”.

Sorcha O’Brien, Environmental Awareness Officer for South Dublin County Council said “EcoWeek aims to deliver an important message that reaches everyone in our community - those living and working in South Dublin County. It gives everyone the opportunity to get involved in reducing their impact on the environment, by taking simple steps to live in a more sustainable manner. It’s our Environment and our community, let’s make sure to protect it and show everyone how proud we are of South Dublin County”

Stage stars at the event were students from St Mary’s national school who performed from ‘Environment the musical’ an entertaining yet thought-provoking musical which looks at “loving where you live” through the use of music and drama, in a truly positive and uplifting way.

The Mayor of South Dublin County, Cllr Guss O’Connell also presented the winners of the Environmental Poster competition with their certificates. There were over 130 entries this year and the standard was very high. Congratulations to all the winners. The winners are as follows:

Age Category 4 – 8     Kasia Gibney from Loreto National School

Age Category 9 – 12   Sadhbh Ni Bhuachalla from Gael Scoil Eiscir Riada

Age Category 13 – 17 Adam Johnston from Old Bawn Community College

South Dublin County Council welcomes the Eco Week opportunity to encourage citizens to keep an eye on www.sdcc.ie , Facebook and twitter for event updates, and to take part in as many initiatives as possible throughout the year. It is through working together that we can make South Dublin County the best possible place in which to live, work and do business.

Other pro-environmental events organised by SDCC include, but are not limited to, the Green Schools programme, the Social Credits Scheme, National Spring Clean, the National Gum Litter Campaign, Anti –Litter initiatives as well as, Waste Prevention and seasonal campaigns ( Halloween, Christmas and Food Waste).

For more information on Eco Week please contact envawareness@sdublincoco.ie

Images

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  St Marys NS who performed Environment the musical on the day and the Mayor
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  St Marys NS with the poster competition winners, the Mayor, Annette McNellis and teachers.
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  The winners of the poster competitions with the Mayor
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  Winner of poster competition, Age Category 13-17 - Adam Johnston from Old Bawn Community School
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  Winner of poster competition, Age Category 4-8 - Kasia Gibney from Loreto National School
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  Winner of poster competition, Age Category 9-12 -Sadhbh Ni Bhuachalla from Gael Scoil Eiscir Riada