Councillor Martina Kinane, the Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Dorothy Niland and Ellen Troake, Ballindereen NS, overall winners in the National Schools anti-Litter competition. Back L-R Brendan de Courcy MacDonnell, Ballindereen NS and Mark Molloy, Assistant Environmental Awareness Officer, Galway County Council. Credit Ray Ryan.
COUNTY HALL was transformed into a hub of creativity and environmental awareness as students from across Galway gathered for the announcement of winners in Galway County Council’s annual Anti-Litter Poster Competition.
A record 1,524 entries were submitted by students eager to highlight the importance of litter prevention and environmental responsibility.
Posters addressed a range of themes, including the value of maintaining a clean and litter-free county, the detrimental impact of litter on Galway’s scenic landscape, the importance of using public bins correctly, and the need to bring waste home to reduce pollution.
Top honours in the Primary Schools category went to Ellen Troake and Dorothy Niland of Ballindereen National School. In the Secondary Schools category, Gloria Piwinska of Coláiste Bhaile Chláir was named overall winner.
Councillor Martina Kinane (FF), the outgoing 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 in our everyday activities. Galway County Council recognises the important role our schools play in delivering environmental awareness messages, and I want to thank everyone who takes part in our many environmental and litter awareness initiatives. Litter across our County is a scourge and can be avoided by people taking personal responsibility”.
Kieran Coyne, Acting 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 to the Anti-Litter Poster Competition. We plan to run the competition again in 2026 and to continue with our efforts to make Galway Litter Free,” added Mr. Coyne.
The full list of winners Anti-Litter Poster Competition winners is as follows:
NATIONAL SCHOOLS
Junior Infants: (1st) Gearóid Conroy, Ballyconneely NS; (2nd) Annie Ní Dhálaigh, SN Inis Meáin; (3rd) Dualtagh Mac Sweeney, Kiltiernan NS; (Highly Commended – HC) Fiadh Moran, Carnaun NS, Athenry.
Senior Infants: (1st) Meghan Lyons, Cahergal NS; (2nd) Evan O’Flynn, Craughwell NS; (3rd) Daithí Finnerty, Kiltormer NS; (HC) Donagh Keighery, St. Feichins NS, Abbey, Loughrea.
1st Class: (1st) Rían Ó Gríofa and Páidí Ó Máille, SN Tír an Fhia; (2nd) Keelagh Hyland, St Brendan’s NS Portumna; (3rd) Muireann Waldron, Ballinlass NS, Dunmore (HC) Cillian Mayock, Newtown NS, Abbeyknockmoy.
2nd Class: (1st) Emily Ní Chonfhaola, Scoil Éinne, An Spidéal; (2nd) Libby Walsh O’Toole, Glinsk NS; (3rd) Lauren Trautt, Scoil Íosa Oranmore; (HC) Shauna Cahill, Kilglass NS, Ahascragh.
3rd Class: (1st) Honor Duggan, Scoil Éinne, An Spidéal; (2nd) Holly Joyce, Scoil Chuimín & Caitríona, Oughterard; (3rd) Eloise Dugon, Carnmore NS; (HC) Axel Higgins, Brierhill NS.
4th Class: (1st) Iarla Keane, Ballyglass NS, Ardrahan; (2nd) Caitlin Mulkerrins, St Thomas’ NS, Peterswell; (3rd) Greta Barrett, Gaelscoil Riabhach, Baile Locha Riach; (HC) Natalia Zimorska, Clonberne NS.
5th Class: (1st) Abbie Furey, Annagh Hill NS; (2nd) Clóda Bell, Scoil Sailearna, Indreabhán; (3rd) Robyn Coady-Feeney, Maree NS; (HC) Lucy Giblin, Scoil Sheamais Naofa, Bearna.
6th Class: (1st) Sanuli Omaya Galmangoda Guruge, Kilcooley NS; (2nd) Keeva McLoughlin, Claddaghduff NS; (3rd) Kaori Sulpice Inaba, Collinamuck NS; (HC) Isabella McDonagh, Monivea NS.
Overall winner of ‘Primary Schools’ category: Ellen Troake and Dorothy Niland of Ballindereen NS.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
1st Year: (1st) Ava Wall, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir; (2nd) Dáire Hawkins, Seamount College, Kinvara; (3rd) Anvi Yadav, St Brigid’s College, Loughrea; (HC) Kealan Francis, St Brigid’s College, Loughrea.
2nd Year: (1st) Tess Kavanagh, Clifden Community School; (2nd) Asmaa Al Jomaa, Ard Mhuire Ballinasloe; (3rd) Abbie O’Driscoll, Seamount College, Kinvara; (HC) David Balcerzak, St Killian’s College, New Inn.
3rd Year: (1st) Eileen Heanue, Clifden Community School; (2nd) Niamh Walsh, Clifden Community School.
4th Year/TY: (1st) Eva Nic Giolla Mháirtín, Coláiste an Eachréidh, Baile Átha an Rí; (2nd) Áine Goodwin, Coláiste an Eachréidh, Baile Átha an Rí; (3rd) Martin Woods, Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr; (HC) Grace Tyrell, Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr.
Overall winner of ‘Secondary Schools’ category: Gloria Piwinska, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir
Special Awards – Theme Winners
Roadside Litter Winner: Iarla Keane, Ballyglass NS.
Beach Litter Winner: Clóda Bell, Scoil Sailearna, Indreabhán
Stop Littering Now Winner: Abbie O’Donnell, Seamount College, Kinvara.
Keep Galway Litter Free Winner: Tess Kavanagh, Clifden Community School.
Anti-Dog Fouling Winner: Martin Woods, Coláiste Ghobnait, Inis Oírr.
