From WOW to COW at Portlaoise schools!

PORTLAOISE has become the first town in Ireland where all schools are working together on a Green Schools Travel theme at the same time.

The pioneering Portlaoise Travel Cluster Project brings students and teachers from across the town together to promote safer, healthier and more sustainable school journeys.

On 4 and 6 November, students from Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, Maryborough NS, Scoil Bhríde NS, Portlaoise Educate Together, Dunamase College and Scoil Chríost Rí gathered in County Hall for the second year of the project’s travel forums for students.

Facilitated by Green Schools Travel Officers Michèle Castiaux and Chiara Hanrahan, the forums in the council chamber gave students a platform to share their experiences and ideas.

Highlights included discussions on the popular WOW (Walk on Wednesday) and COW (Cycle on Wednesday) initiatives as well as the Park and Stride scheme, which is designed to reduce congestion by encouraging families that must drive to park nearby and walk the final stretch to school.

This year, the project also celebrates the introduction of the PL1 and PL2 bus lines, offering another sustainable travel option for students and further promoting walking, cycling and carpooling.

Throughout the forums, students collaborated on drafting Sustainable Transport Policies for their schools. These policies, to be finalised by the end of the academic year, will be shared with incoming families to encourage continued commitment to greener travel.

Laois Co Council’s community climate action officer Karen Moore explained: “This project, launched last year, aims to reduce traffic congestion in Portlaoise, improve air quality and ensure safe school journeys for all.

“Beyond the environmental benefits, we’re seeing students gain independence and enjoy the mental and physical advantages of active travel.” 

Green Schools Travel Programme team lead Chiara Hanrahan added: “These forums offer a unique opportunity for Portlaoise schools to collaborate in the council chamber, sharing ideas and planning together. Hearing the students’ voices on this important issue has been inspiring. They’ve truly embraced the opportunity.” 

Sponsored by Laois Co Council, the Portlaoise Travel Cluster Project supports the implementation of the Green Schools Travel theme across schools in the town, using proven strategies from the national programme such as travel audits, student surveys, workshops and mapping exercises.

The initiative promotes walking, cycling, scooting and public or shared transport. The goal is to foster healthier habits, reduce emissions and support Laois’s broader climate and sustainability objectives.

The project builds on recommendations in the 2020 - 2021 School Sustainable Travel Study, also funded by Laois Co Council and represents what the council describes as ‘a strategic step toward embedding sustainable travel practices in Portlaoise’s school culture’.