National Age Friendly Awards 2026 005 scaled

The call for submissions to the 2026 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement awards went live on Monday the 11th of May 2026 and by the 5th June 2026 we had received 164 applications.

Members of the independent judging panel for 2026 were Pat Dowling, former Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Jimmy Feane, former Director of Services of Limerick County Council, Madeleine Quirke, former CEO of Wexford Chamber of Commerce, Clare Curley, former Director of Services of Tipperary County Council, Anna Marie Delaney, former Chief Executive of Offaly County Council and John Kerin, former Chief Superintendent in An Garda Síochána in Clare. After long deliberations the shortlisting process was completed and the following 36 projects were chosen:

Shortlisted Projects

Category	Shortlisted Projects
Age Friendly Transport Award Sponsored by the Department of Transport Getting to where you want to go when you want to go is so important to so many older people. This category recognises the vital difference that access to good quality and reliable transport options can make to an older person.	– Safe Journeys Ahead An Garda Síochána/Cavan County Council & Others – TFI Local Link Laois Offaly TFI Local Link – TFI Local Link Limerick Clare TFI Local Link
Age Friendly Healthy Ageing Award Sponsored by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) We are living for longer but remaining healthy and active in later years can be a real challenge. This award recognises those initiatives that optimise opportunities for good health in later years, so that older people can continue to play an active role in community life.	– Art of Life Creative Cavan & Others – AgeWell Age Well Ireland, Third Age –Ownership in Aging: How The Great Care Co-op is Revolutionizing Community Care The Great Care Co-op
Age Friendly Business Innovation Award Sponsored by Chambers Ireland We know that creating an enjoyable and accessible environment for older consumers pays dividends for businesses. Here we recognize initiatives that strive to improve the environment for older people as consumers.	– Ag obair le Chéile – working together ‘Protecting what matters’! Sheridan Insurances – Rock the Rails Family Story Kilrush Maggie Cronin – Specsavers Limerick Active Age Engagement Specsavers
Age Friendly Safety & Security Award Sponsored by An Garda Siochana Feeling safe and secure at home and when out and about greatly enhances the lives of older people. This category acknowledges the impact of community-based responses that enable older people to feel secure in their homes and in the wider community, and to know what to do when they don’t.	– Storm Ready Packs Longford Older Persons Council & Longford Age Friendly Programme – Road Safety for Older People Clare Older Persons Council & Clare Age Friendly Programme – High Security Locks Scheme Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Age Friendly Programme
Age Friendly Communication Award Sponsored by An Post A lack of access to information is often cited as a barrier to “ageing well” in Ireland. The ability to access clear and concise information can impact on a range of an older person’s life, from health and wellbeing to social connectedness to financial security. This award recognises efforts being made around the country to bridge the information gap.	– The Cyber Safety Project Munster Technological University – Life’s What You Make It Valerie O’Hanlon, Trish Taylor Thompsons, Eoin Brady – Meath County Council Community Preparedness Alliance Meath County Council – Switch Today Save Money Project Drogheda & District Support 4 Older People
Age Friendly Environment Award Sponsored by the Centre for Excellence In Universal Design The built environment has a unique impact on the lives of all older people. Simple things like adequate public seating, level footpaths and appropriate crossing times at pedestrian crossings all have a huge impact on the ability of older people to be active in their towns and villages. The category recognises projects that bring about change in the built physical environment with older people in mind.	– The Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum Restoration and Accessibility Initiative Kilkenny County Council Parks Department – The Tuam Palace Grounds Sensory Garden and Active Recreation Galway County Council – Enniscorthy Community Allotments Enniscorthy Community –A Healing Garden for Rehabilitation, Dementia & Remembrance for Staff, Families & Friends Monaghan and Cavan Hospital & others
Age Friendly Active Living & Leisure Award This recognises initiatives that enable older people to stay healthy and independent through accessible physical activity, recreation, and enjoyable leisure opportunities. It celebrates programmes and environments that remove barriers to participation (e.g., cost, transport, inclusive design and tailored support), promote safe movement and social connection, and help prevent isolation—aligning with the WHO Age Friendly Cities and Communities Health domain by supporting wellbeing, prevention, and quality of life in later years.	– The DLR Afternoon Tea Dances Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Sports Partnership – Vintage Vibes Coastal Community Hub Vintage Vibes – Community Wellness Programme Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership –A Healing Garden for Rehabilitation, Dementia & Remembrance for Staff, Families & Friends Monaghan and Cavan Hospital & others
Age Friendly Intergenerational Award This recognises initiatives that bring older and younger people together in meaningful, mutually beneficial ways. It celebrates projects that increase social participation through shared activities, volunteering, mentoring, learning and community events, while fostering respect, understanding and social inclusion across generations. This category highlights approaches that reduce isolation, challenge age related stereotypes, and create welcoming spaces where people of all ages feel valued and connected.	– Dementia Inclusive Generation The Alzheimer Society of Ireland – Wisdom Club: Shared Skills and Stories Across Generations Clocha Rince Community Library – Product System Service Co-Design Project TUDublin – Edible Town Tidy Towns Mitchelstown
Age Friendly Community Innovation Award Sponsored by the Department of Rural & Community Development The voice of the older person is at the heart of the Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme, the Programme is designed and implemented with them and not for them. This award recognises those innovative projects that are driven by older people for older people. These projects not only enhance the lives of older people but benefit the community at large.	– Dungarvan Dementia Inclusive Community The Alzheimer Society Of Ireland – Roscommon University Hospital Volunteer Service Roscommon University Hospital – Babusi – Didusi Razem Together 4 Ukraine – Sporting Memories Sligo Rovers & Alzheimer Society of Ireland – Connemara Memory Café for Brain Health Galway County Council & Others – Leighlin Dementia Friendly Community Helen Jordan & Fr. T Lalor
Age Friendly Housing Award Sponsored by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage As people age, they spend more time in their own homes. This means that older people’s quality of life, and thus their health, can depend on the appropriateness of their home environment and the conditions in which they live. This award recognises innovative housing initiatives that enable older people to remain independent for as long as possible.	– Richmond Place, Inchicore Circle Voluntary Housing Associations & Dublin City Council – St. Finbar’s Court, Cabra Dublin City Council – Greenhills Grange, Drogheda Louth County Council & Others

Limerick City and County Council hosted The Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards Ceremony for 2026 on the 8th of October in the beautiful Limerick Strand Hotel.