Mayo students showcasing barn owl project

STUDENTS in the senior room at Carrowholly National School, Westport, have reached the next stage of the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards with an inspiring biodiversity project focused on protecting the local barn owl population.

The pupils, under the guidance of teacher Colleen Walsh, carried out a habitat survey in the Carrowholly area, identified suitable nesting locations, and - with the support of the parents’ association - arranged for a purpose-built barn owl nesting box to be constructed. The box is now ready to be installed in a carefully selected location.

The project has impressed judges at national level, and the children will travel to Galway to present their work tomorrow (Tuesday).

This is a fantastic achievement for the school and highlights the strong community spirit in Carrowholly, with pupils, parents and local knowledge coming together to support biodiversity in the area.