As part of National Tree Week, Mullingar Tidy Towns, in association with Coillte and Crann (Trees for Ireland), arranged a visit to Bellview Heights to plant two native trees. Present were (from left) Emmer Tyrrell, horticulturist; Mike Price, Bellview Heights residents group; Cllr Bill Collentine, chairperson, Mullingar Tidy Towns; PJ Fitzpatrick, Crann and Coillte; and Ger Buckley, Coillte establishment manager.

Mullingar Tidy Towns active for National Tree Week

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Mullingar Tidy Towns were active in various schools and estates in the town for National Tree Week.

On Wednesday March 22, and in association with Coillte and Crann (Trees for Ireland), they visited Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar, where the first year students will help launch the Mullingar Tidy Towns ‘New Beginning Tree Programme for 2023’.

Now it in its second year, the programme was a success last year and more than 100 native bare trees were presented to the first year students of Columba College, Killucan.

Cllr Bill Collentine, chairperson, Mullingar Tidy Towns, addressing students at Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar.

This year, the 150 first year students at Coláiste Mhuire will receive bare rooted native trees to take home and plant in areas of their choice.

PJ Fitzpatrick, Crann and Coillte; and Ger Buckley, Coillte establishment manager, as well as Cllr Bill Collentine, chairperson, Mullingar Tidy Towns, addressed the students on how to plant the trees and help them grow, and what it means for everyone to do their parts in reducing their carbon footprint.

At Coláiste Mhuire (from left) Ger Buckley, Coillte establishment manager; PJ Fitzpatrick, Crann and Coillte; Georgina Hourican, Coláiste Mhuire; Emmer Tyrrell, Mullingar Tidy Towns, horticulturist; Niall O’Brien, Coláiste Mhuire, vice-principal; and Cllr Bill Collentine, chairperson, Mullingar Tidy Towns.

The students are encouraged to plant the trees in honour of someone or something in their lives – in memory of a lost family member, relative or friend.

Mullingar Tidy Towns have organised a competition for the best story or picture, and will return to the school on Tuesday April 12 to view the entries and present the prizes.

Mullingar Tidy Towns were invited to Gaelscoil an Choillín on Thursday, for National Tree Week, and a project called Plant a Planet Campaign.

The students are aiming to get at least 10% of the staff and students in their schools to plant trees at home as a climate and nature action.

A total of 140 trees were delivered to the school by Westmeath County Council through Belvedere House, which runs the programme in conjunction with the Tree Council of Ireland and Coillte.

At Gaelscoil an Choillín (from left) Kalla Lynch, parents association; Cllr Bill Collentine, chairperson, Mullingar Tidy Towns; Isolde Dingerkus, horticulturist, Mullingar Tidy Towns; and Trina Ni Nuallain, leas phriomhoide na scoile, Gaelscoil an Choillín.

Mullingar Tidy Towns also donated two handmade benches to Gaelscoil an Choillín. They are made from recycled pallets donated by fuel merchant Liam Kenny, Patrick Street.

The craftsmen of Mullingar Tidy Towns made the benches and the TY students from CBS school, who help Mullingar Tidy Towns every Tuesday, sanded down and painted them.

As part of National Tree Week, Mullingar Tidy Towns, in association with Coillte and Crann (Trees for Ireland), arranged a visit to Bellview Heights to plant two native trees.

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