Our Community
with EirGrid
Our Community with EirGrid brought pupils from ten schools across East Cork and West Waterford into a radio project exploring sustainability, energy and the world around them.
Supported by EirGrid and produced with CRY104FM, the project gave pupils the opportunity to research topics, interview teachers and classmates, develop their own programmes and bring their ideas to a wider audience through radio and podcasting.
Across ten individual episodes, the schools explored everything from solar panels, recycling and biodiversity to energy use, the Celtic Interconnector and the practical changes already taking place in their own schools.
The Episodes
Ten schools, ten programmes and ten different perspectives on sustainability, energy and their communities. Listen to each programme below.
Scoil Bhríde, Midleton
Pupils from Scoil Bhríde explore sustainability and the practical steps their school is taking to make a difference. From reducing waste and electricity use to encouraging biodiversity, they look at how everyday actions can contribute to a more sustainable school.
The pupils also turn their attention to bees and other pollinators, exploring why they are so important and how the right plants and habitats can help them thrive.
Bunscoil Mhuire, Youghal
Bunscoil Mhuire pupils take a closer look at sustainability around their school, including solar panels, recycling, the school garden and measures designed to reduce energy use.
They explore how improvements such as insulation, upgraded windows and automatic lighting can make a difference, while also looking at electricity and the wider energy system. Along the way, the pupils share some of the activities and experiences that make up life at Bunscoil Mhuire.
Ballintotas National School
Ballintotas pupils show how small changes can become part of everyday school life. They talk about growing vegetables, planting flowers for bees and wildlife, reusing books and folders, separating waste and giving school uniforms a second life through a uniform exchange.
There's plenty of fun along the way too, including their own sustainability quiz, Who Wants to Be a Global Guardian?
Midleton CBS Primary
Pupils from Midleton CBS Primary tackle some big questions about electricity and renewable energy, explaining in their own words how electricity travels through the national grid to homes, schools and hospitals.
Their programme also looks at environmental action closer to home, including keeping beaches free from litter and waste, while introducing listeners to school activities and the role pupils themselves play through the Student Council.
Clonpriest National School
At Clonpriest National School, pupils explore sustainability through projects happening right around them.
They look at the school's polytunnel, gardening, composting, recycling and solar panels, including how pupils can see when the panels are generating electricity. They also discuss textile waste, uniform swaps and the school's Green Schools activities.
It's a programme that shows how learning about sustainability can quickly turn into practical action.
South Abbey National School, Youghal
South Abbey pupils explore sustainability both inside their school and in the natural world around them.
They look at recycling, reducing electricity use and the work of their Green Schools committee, before turning their attention to biodiversity and the important role played by bees, butterflies and other insects.
The pupils also investigate Ireland's electricity grid and the Celtic Interconnector, bringing a major energy project taking place locally into the conversation.
St Fergal's National School, Killeagh
St Fergal's pupils look at the many ways sustainability is becoming part of everyday school life.
They discuss solar panels, Green Flag activities, recycling, litter picking and ways of reducing waste and unnecessary electricity use. Their ideas extend beyond the school gates too, with pupils looking at how environmental activities can make a difference in the wider Killeagh community.
There's even time to put their environmental knowledge to the test with a quiz.
Scoil Iósaf, Castlemartyr
Sixth Class pupils at Scoil Iósaf explore the practical environmental work taking place around their school and community.
They look at recycling, composting and litter picking, along with the school's garden and polytunnel where pupils can get involved in growing fruit and vegetables. They also discuss plans for a sensory garden and the importance of looking after the environment for future generations.
St John the Baptist School, Midleton
St John the Baptist pupils have plenty to explore, from Picker Pals and composting to reused school books, Cash for Clobber, Green Flag activities and solar panels.
Their school garden provides some particularly creative examples of reuse, including planting beds made with old railway sleepers and a greenhouse incorporating recycled plastic bottles. The pupils also talk to their Student Council about current projects and ideas for making their school even more sustainable.
Gaelscoil Choráin, Youghal
Gaelscoil Choráin pupils take listeners outdoors to explore sustainability through gardening, biodiversity and energy.
They look at plants that attract bees and butterflies, growing fruit and vegetables, collecting rainwater and creating spaces where wildlife can thrive. Recycling, reducing waste and the school's solar panels also feature as the pupils consider the different ways their school can become more sustainable.
Our Community with EirGrid
Our Community with EirGrid was made possible with the support of EirGrid and produced by CRY104FM. We would like to thank EirGrid, along with the pupils, teachers and ten schools across East Cork and West Waterford who took part.