ATKINS Garden World was the venue as the county mayor Cllr Mary Linehan Foley launched of the annual School Garden competition for primary schools in County Cork.

Cllr Mary Linehan Foley said: ‘Activities that that can help children to learn the importance of nature while staying active are crucial for health and wellbeing. Since its establishment in 2012, the Muintir na Tire School Garden Competition has inspired thousands of students across Cork County to embrace the outdoors and Cork County Council is very proud to have supported the competition each year. I urge all schools around the county to consider signing up this year, whether a new entrant or a long-established participant. We want to see students from every town and village involved.’

County Council was represented by Ger Barry (director, Services Planning and Environment), Aida Goold (senior executive officer), Michelle Greene and Katherine Corkery (environment directorate) and Conor Nelligan (Heritage Officer, Cork County Council). The Cork County Federation of Muintir na Tire was represented by Sean Holland, Pauline O’Dwyer, Sean Finn, Finbar Motherway, Helen Kennedy and Denis Kelly, while Atkins Garden World was represented by manager Cornelia Creedon. Coachford National School, winners of the Best School Garden in Cork County in 2025, were represented by pupils Seán Murray and Mia Malinovska.