Active Travel Launch

On the 19th of May, the Active Travel walkway from the Mayo County Council Car Park at the Quay area linked to the school was launched in glorious sunshine. Rev. Fr Kieran Holmes blessed the walkway before all children in the school and dignitaries walked the route to the school. 

All children and invited guests then gathered at the school and heard from a number of speakers detailing the work that had taken place and the importance of the enhancements in the development of the school and the neighbouring Rugby Club. These enhancements are a direct result of Mayo County Council's broader Active Travel initiatives and the Safe Routes to School Programme.  Active Travel is defined as travelling with purpose, using your own energy, such as walking or cycling to get to places. Its core aim is to provide alternative safe ways of getting to places, emphasizing modes like walking, wheeling (non-motorised), or cycling, and the infrastructure needed to support them.

The Safe Routes to School Programme is a vital initiative operated by An Taisce in partnership with the National Transport Authority and local authorities like Mayo County Council. Its purpose is to encourage as many pupils as possible to walk, cycle, and wheel by improving safety and accessibility at the front of school and on routes to school. The work undertaken in the enbvirons of the school directly supports these goals, helping to create a safer space for our students and enhancing the routes they use to travel to and from school. 

As a Green School and a school community dedicated to promoting Physical Education, physical activity, and school sport as evidenced by the awarding of an Active School Flag, these improvements not only make getting to school safer and easier, but they also support environmental sustainability and promote positive health benefits for our students.

The launch event was also a time to acknowledge the ongoing support we receive from Mayo Sports Partnership. Hosted by Mayo County Council and core-funded by Sport Ireland, their aim is to increase participation in all sports and to actively get people active across County Mayo. We have taken part in the Safe Cycle Programme, Marathon Kids initiative, Tri Heroes programme this and previous years. The efforts of Mayo Sports Partnership and ourselves here in the school perfectly complement the goals of Active Travel and help foster a culture of physical wellbeing within our community. We are fortunate that there is a concerted effort in County Mayo to promote active travel and sports participation as integral parts of a sustainable, healthy, and well-connected community. 

The speakers today included:

Councillor John O'Hara, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council

Catherine McConnell, Deputy Chief Executive of Mayo County Council

Minister Dara Calleary, Minister for Social Protection, Minister for Rural and Community Development

Tomás McLoughlin, Active Travel, Mayo County Council,

Seán Gallagher, School Principal

Our incredible school community – our students, parents, teachers, SNAs  in their entirety walked the route today. 

A collection of images from our Active Travel Launch. Special thanks to Ms Wall for capturing the excellent drone footage as we made our way from the Quay to the school on the new walkway.