New rain garden to purify rainwater run-off unveiled in Cobh

The ‘Nature Based Solution’ National Pilot Project will help manage this rainwater run-off using urban trees and rain gardens with plants and soil specially chosen to act as natural filters, cleaning dirty water before it’s released into waterways or the sea. This innovative approach to surface water management not only reduces flood risk, but also enhances water quality, fosters biodiversity, and improves the built environment.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD joined Cllr. Alan O’Connor deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork to launch the first stage of the Pilot Project in Cobh; a temporary demonstrator rain garden at East Beach to test and monitor the quality of rainwater run-off and bio-retention soils used for water filtration.

The pupils of St. Mary’s National School played a pivotal role in promoting and implementing the rain garden demonstrator. They participated in workshops on nature-based solutions and took great pride in decorating this new green infrastructure for their town. Projects such as this will encourage people to live, work and reconnect with nature in the heritage town centre of Cobh.

We are so proud of our sixth class pupils who partook in this initiative so enthusiastically, bringing their input to local workshops before the launch and their creativity to decorate the rain garden.  Our fifth class pupils also had a huge input as they were centre stage preforming a drama at the unveiling! Fantastic work from all involved – well done!