Creativity Shines at dlr’s Recycled Christmas Decoration Awards

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council proudly hosted the Recycled Christmas Decoration Competition Festive Awards Ceremony at County Hall last night, recognising the creativity and commitment of local primary school students to sustainability. Now in its 23rd year, the competition challenges pupils to transform surplus household materials into imaginative and eco-friendly festive decorations—proving that Christmas cheer can be recycled, not bought. Representatives from 27 participating schools, known as ‘School Champions,’ joined the celebration for an evening of prizes, festive activities, and creative inspiration.

Cllr Jim Gildea, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

“We are thrilled to see so many talented students and budding artists from our county continue this tradition. The dlr Recycled Christmas Decoration Competition continues to be a fun, creative way to inspire our community and raise awareness about the importance of recycling and biodiversity during the festive season.”

All participants were celebrated for their creativity and innovation, with the prestigious ‘School Champion’ Cup awarded to Cara Kilroy, a 2nd class pupil from Rathfarnham Educate Together NS, for her imaginative ‘Robin on a Perch’ decoration. Cara’s design featured a lifelike robin crafted from an old pillow and fabric scraps, showcasing the true spirit of reuse.

The ceremony also featured Éanna Ní Lamhna, renowned environmental commentator, broadcaster, and author, who captivated the audience with seasonal stories of Irish wildlife and a reading from the updated edition of her book Wild Dublin: Exploring Nature in the City. Her inspiring words highlighted the rich diversity of plants and animals that thrive in our county.