Urbleshanny National School

The Green Schools Committee, along with Green Schools Coordinator, Mrs Duffy and parents, Bernie McElwain and Mary McGloin, travelled out to Sliabh Beagh this week. They were joined by Dr Rory Sheehan, Ecologist and Site Coordinator on Sliabh Beagh, Monaghan County Council. The school has entered the Young Environmentalist Awards this year run by ECO-UNESCO and will launch a brochure on Tuesday, the 13th of March. 

ECO-UNESCO is Ireland's environmental education and youth organisation. It aims to raise awareness, understanding and knowledge of our environment. Our project on Sliabh Beagh aims to promote the protection and conservation of this natural place of beauty on our doorstep.

Rory brought the group to Eshbrack Bog showing three examples of bog sited there: blanket, raised and quaking. The Sliabh Beagh area, which also includes areas of Tyrone and Fermanagh, is a designated Natural Heritage Area. The bog is used for farming, hunting, turf cutting, walking and for studying wildlife and nature. All aspects of the area are covered by various speakers visiting the school such as Joe Shannon, Birdwatch Ireland, Seán Clerkin, Tydavnet Group Water Scheme, Paddy Sherry, Walks Coordinator and Marie McKenna, Tydavnet Historical Society. 

Pupils are asked to visit the Sliabh Beagh area between the 4th of March and the 14th of March and take a selfie. This counts as one night's homework. You can email your selfie to admin@urbleshannyns.com