Chambers Ireland today (8th of October) revealed the shortlist for the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2024. In its 21st year, the Awards feature a total of 98 Local Authority projects shortlisted across 15 categories, reflecting the dedication and innovation taking place at local government level, and one Local Authority will be awarded the overall award and named Local Authority of the Year 2024.
This year, a record number of 191 submissions were received from 27 Local Authorities, underscoring the importance of these awards in showcasing the exemplary service provided by Local Authorities to their communities.
The Awards are held annually in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Speaking on the announcement of the shortlisted projects, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon TD, said:
“The Excellence in Local Government Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to highlight some of the incredible work being done in local authorities all across the country, and I am very pleased that my Department is supporting the event again this year.”
“Local authority projects like the ones shortlisted today contribute to life in our communities in a multitude of ways, and I am delighted to be a part of celebrating these achievements. I want to congratulate every project that has been shortlisted, including the two from my own county of Mayo.”
Commenting on the announcement of the shortlist, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, said,
“The Awards showcase the inventiveness and innovation that Local Authorities are delivering, which so often goes unnoticed. I would like to congratulate each of the shortlisted Local Authorities and acknowledge the excellent work being undertaken at local government level nationwide.”
TJ Hunter, Senior Director at Ørsted UK & Ireland, who are headline sponsors of the Awards, added, “The Chambers Ireland Local Government Awards celebrate the exceptional projects and teams within our Local Authorities nationwide. From community to infrastructure and everything in between, Local Authorities play a critical role in the way we live. We are proud to champion excellence and to formally recognise the finalists and winners to be announced this November.”
The Excellence in Local Government Award winners will be announced at the 21stannual ceremony on 21st November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, Santry.
The full shortlist is as follows:
Age Friendly Initiative
- Clare County Council – Clare Culture Companions
- Cork City Council – Cork Age Friendly Conversations
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – Creative Brainwaves-Ageing well in dlr!
- Fingal County Council – Vintage Picnic Arts Creativity and Music Festival for +55s
- Kerry County Council – Youth Action Addressing IT poverty among older people in Kerry
- Kildare County Council – Ballymore Eustace as an Age Friendly Climate Friendly Village
- Monaghan County Council – Beech Hill College Intergenerational Project
- Wexford County Council – Sporting Memories
Climate Change
- Donegal County Council – Energy Retrofit Programme
- Dublin City Council – Climate Neutral Dublin 2030 – Local Authority Climate Action Plan 2024-2029
- Fingal County Council – Wildfire Management Howth Head
- South Dublin County Council – Mini Woodland Scheme in South Dublin
Communications
- Cork City Council – Our City is Changing
- Dublin City Council – Believe in Dublin
- Fingal County Council – Virtual Reality for Fingal Libraries – enhancing communications and providing access to emerging technology
- Galway City Council – Galway City – Your Council Podcast
- Monaghan County Council – Creative Monaghan
- South Dublin County Council – Women of South Dublin
- Wexford County Council – Community Calendar
Diversity & Inclusion
- Cork City Council – Frederick Douglass Unity Courtyard
- Cork County Council – Ukrainian Bookclub
- Kilkenny County Council – Gowran Inclusive MUGA
- Limerick City & County Council – Limerick Migrant Integration Forum
- Monaghan County Council – Chatterbox – A collaboration with Monaghan County Libraries & National Learning Network
- Offaly County Council – Art in the Landscape – Festival of Change
- South Dublin County Council – Teenspace Programme Review
- Wicklow County Council – Arklow Library; a sensory space for St Patrick’s Day Parade
Urban Revival
- Cork City Council – Playful Placemaking- Cork City’s Dynamic Community Engagement
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – Myrtle Square & Convent Lane
- Fingal County Council – Revitalising Heritage: Restoring St. Ita’s Historic Homes for Modern Use
- Kerry County Council – Tralee Regeneration project – Positioning Tralee as a Regional Economic Driver and Destination Town
- Monaghan County Council – Ballybay Revival ~ Breathing life back into a rural town
- South Dublin County Council – New Urban Squares and Linear Park for Tallaght
- Waterford City & County Council – Reviving urban living by reducing property vacancy & dereliction in Waterford
- Wexford County Council – Gorey District Park
Festival of the Year
- Cork City Council – Cork World Book Festival
- Cork County Council – Mallow Castle Community Festivals
- Donegal County Council – Sound! Soundtrack Film Festival
- Dublin City Council – Dublin Festival of History
- Fingal County Council – Fingal Proms 2024
- Limerick City & County Council – Riverfest Limerick 2024
- South Dublin County Council – South Dublin Community Public Services Day
Health & Wellbeing
- Carlow County Council – Wednesday Wanderers
- Donegal County Council – Model Beach Accessibility to improve Health and Well Being – A Strategic Approach
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – DLR Inclusive Water Sports Camps 2023
- Kerry County Council – Development of a walking/running track and outdoor recreational area.
- Mayo County Council – Fit Sticks Trail
Heritage and Built Environment
- Cavan County Council – Virginia Civic, Cultural and Library Services Centre
- Cork County Council – Restoration of Casemate Building at Camden Fort Meagher
- Donegal County Council – The Wonder of Weave – A Showcase of Irish & Scottish Tweed
- Dublin City Council – 14 Henrietta Street
- Galway County Council – Galway County Ecclesiastical Heritage Project
- Monaghan County Council – Castleblayney Gate Lodge Library and Market Square Regeneration
- South Dublin County Council – Saggart Schoolhouse Community Centre
- Tipperary County Council – Tipperary Studies Digital Platform
- Waterford City & County Council – Irish Wake Museum
Municipal Districts initiative
- Kildare County Council – Leinster Women’s shed Fest
- Limerick City & County Council – Limerick Regional Athletics Hub (LRAH)
- Monaghan County Council – Bog Garden
- Waterford City & County Council – Connecting Communities – Healthy Communities Project
- Wexford County Council – The Emigrant Park, New Ross
Local Authority Innovation
- Fingal County Council – FCC, SEAI , REIL Pilot Public/Private Energy Retrofitting Scheme, Strandmill Estate
- Galway County Council – County Galway Pre-Planning System
- Laois County Council – Dealing with Mould in LA homes – the process
- Limerick City & County Council – Living again: Vacancy, Dereliction and Reuse initiative
- Monaghan County Council – Monaghan Peace Campus & Project Children Cultural Partnership
- South Dublin County Council – Library Labs: STEAM at South Dublin Libraries
- Wexford County Council – Just 1 Life – Road Safety Programme
Promoting Economic Development
- Cork County Council – N22 Baile Bhuirne Macroom Road Development
- Donegal County Council – Food Coast Donegal
- Dublin City Council – Community Wealth Building Dublin City
- Leitrim County Council – Acquisition and development of Carrick Business Campus by Leitrim County Council
- Limerick City & County Council – Building Economic Resilience in Housing – Modern Methods of Construction
- South Dublin County Council – Networking of Enterprising Women in South Dublin (NEWS)
Supporting Sustainable Communities
- Donegal County Council – Burtonport & Arranmore – Harbour to Island Regeneration
- Dublin City Council – The Kingfisher Project
- Laois County Council – Investing in our children’s future – Promotion of STEAM in secondary schools
- Monaghan County Council – Lough Muckno Road To Recovery
- South Dublin County Council – Adamstown: Sustainable by Planning, Design and Implementation.
Supporting Tourism
- Cavan County Council – Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark – Business Sustainability Programme
- Clare County Council – County Clare Green Team achieve international GSTC Recognition.
- Cork County Council – Midleton to Youghal Greenway (MY Greenway): Phase 1: 8km
- Fingal County Council – Fingal Cultural & Tourism TV
- Mayo County Council – Achill Island Greenway
- Monaghan County Council – Rossmore Forest Park, Monaghan
Sustainable Environment & Biodiversity
- Cork City Council – Enhance Clogheenmilcon Fen Bog to create an ecological visitor attraction.
- Cork County Council – Introduction of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) – Alternative Fuel
- Galway City Council – Buaile Bó Ballyloughane
- Limerick City & County Council – GoGreenRoutes (2020-2024) Horizon 2020 project.
- Monaghan County Council – A Sustainable Solution for Regional & Local Road Pavement Renewal
- Wexford County Council – The Establishment of Sustainable Clothes (Textiles) Banks
Sustaining the Arts
- Carlow County Council – GNÁTHÓGA NÁDÚRTHA / Natural Habitats – arts led project at Drummin Bog
- Cork County Council – Events at Living Youghal
- Dublin City Council – Gaeilge365 – Building Local Government’s First Irish Language Innovation Unit
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – Nature and Place
- Galway City Council – Reflections – A Commemoration of the Irish Women of 1923
- Meath County Council – Trim Library and Cultural Centre
- Monaghan County Council – A Deep Ravine
– ENDS –