Maynooth University and St Patrick’s College win 2019 Green Flag Award

Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 16:00

Maynooth University campus and St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, were awarded the prestigious 2019 Green Flag Awards for Parks and Green Spaces, following the recent expansion of the international excellence accreditation to university campuses and historic cemeteries.

Maynooth is the first university campus in the Republic of Ireland to receive the award.

More than 250 park and garden staff, volunteers, and enthusiasts gathered to witness this year’s event, held in Maynooth University’s Aula Maxima Hall.

Awarded for meeting exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management and excellence of visitor attractions, the Green Flag Award for Parks and Green Spaces is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world.

A new entrant and winner for the first time, Maynooth University and St Patrick’s College in Maynooth, County Kildare, also provided this year’s venue to celebrate the 60 Irish Parks and Gardens from across the Republic of Ireland who are receiving their 2019 Green Flags.

Coordinated by An Taisce Environment Education, the 2019 awards were open to public town parks, country parks, gardens, cemeteries, and green spaces from across the whole country.

Dr Joe Larragy, Chair of Maynooth Green Campus, said: “We are delighted and honoured that Maynooth University and St Patrick’s College Maynooth, who share the campus, were selected to host this year’s awards in association with An Taisce.
 
“Maynooth Green Campus extends its congratulations to Stephen Seaman and his team in the Maynooth campus grounds department, to staff and student volunteers, on winning the Green flag for Parks and Green Spaces.
 
“This is another milestone following the award of the Green Campus Flag in 2018 to Maynooth Green Campus, a partnership between Maynooth University, St Patricks College, and Trócaire, for its work on water, waste, energy, travel & transport, biodiversity and climate justice”, he added.
 
Of a total 17 countries whose parks met the standard this year, there were more Green Flag Awards secured by Irish parks and gardens than by any country, other than the UK where the scheme originated in 1996.