Mullingar Shamrocks GAA Healthy Club’s Biodiversity Colouring Competition

The prize winners in our recent competitions were as follows: The Under-14 competition winners are: Micheal Collins, Chloe Nally, Paidi Collins, Ted Matthews, Huw Keaveney, Harry Gavin, Órla Flynn, Tadgh Connolly, Dylan McAteer, Lauren Masterson, Alannah Nohilly, Róisin Cornally, Órla Nohilly, Maria Keating Róisin Nohilly Our Over-14 year old “create a biodiversity poster design” competition was won by a very shy underage footballer who prefers to remain anonymous. The creation will also feature around our walkway . The biodiversity colouring competition required kids to colour in and decorate a picture and to select a Mullingar Shamrocks or Biodiversity themed name for the bumblebee on the sheet . This bee will be on all of the 17 new biodiversity signs which will be erected around the walkway. Independent judging of the artwork was delivered by St. Finian’s College art teacher Rachel Weir and her 2 children Katherine and Patrick . Massive thanks to them for giving their time and expertise to this project for our club. Club Chairman Seán Hynes and LGF Committee chairperson Debbie Newman selected the winning name for our bumblebee logo and “Shambee “ won out over Shammie / Shamy and Rocky as close second and third placed logos. Huge thanks to Westmeath Community Development Horticulture School at Belvedere House and Gardens under the stewardship of John Smyth and Valarie Beck who very kindly sponsored the winning prizes “ - bumblebee / pollinator friendly” plants and shrubs which the kids collected at Mullingar Shamrocks clubhouse on our prize giving ceremony. Pat Collins also ensured each child won a pair of Shamrocks football socks for their creative efforts. The real prize is that each winning bumblebee design coloured in by the children will go up on one of each of the new biodiversity signs soon to be erected around the walkway. These have a life expectancy of 20-25 years so we can look forward to viewing these children's creativity for long years to come. Huge thanks to everyone for participating - children and parents alike.