Portlaoise schools breaks new ground for greener travel

Portlaoise has become the first town in Ireland where all schools are working together on the Green-Schools Travel theme at the same time. The Portlaoise Travel Cluster Project brings students and teachers from across the town together to promote safer, healthier, and more sustainable school journeys. This week saw the second year of the project’s Travel Forums for students.

On November 4th and 6th, students from Gaelscoil Phortlaoise, Maryborough National School, Scoil Bhríde National School, Portlaoise Educate Together, Dunamase College, and Scoil Chríost Rí gathered at the Laois County Council Chamber for the Portlaoise Travel Cluster Project Forums. Facilitated by Green-Schools Travel Officers Michèle Castiaux and Chiara Hanrahan, the forums provided a platform for students 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 who must drive to park nearby and walk the final stretch to school.

READ NEXT: Construction begins on huge housing estate with creche and nursing home in Laois town

This year, the project also celebrates the successful 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.

Karen Moore, Community Climate Action Officer at Laois County Council, said: “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.”

Chiara Hanrahan, Team Lead for the Green-Schools Travel Programme, 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.” READ MORE BELOW PHOTO 

Secondary school students and teachers involved with the Portlaoise Cluster Project gather in the Laois County Council council chambers For the 2025 Travel Forum. Scoil Chriost Rí and Dunamase College

Sponsored by Laois County 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 from the 2020 - 2021 School Sustainable Travel Study, also funded by Laois County Council, and represents a strategic step toward embedding sustainable travel practices in Portlaoise’s school culture.

 Chiara Hanrahan and Michèle Castiaux from the Green-Schools Travel Programme. The green schools committees are tasked with creating a travel policy for their schools.