The call for submissions to the 2025 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement awards went live on Monday the 12th of May 2025. By the closing date of the 6th of June, we had received 146 applications.

Members of the independent judging panel for 2025 were Pat Dowling, former Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Anne Haugh, former Director of Services of Clare County Council, Madeleine Quirke, former CEO of Wexford Chamber of Commerce and Ned Gleeson, former County Manager /CEO of Limerick County Council. After long deliberations the shortlisting process was completed and the following 30 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.	– Older Voices Community Car Initiative County Kildare Leader Partnership – Kerry Cancer Support Group’s Healthlink Transport Kerry Cancer Support Group – Accessible Hospital Bus Service, Meath Local Link Louth Meath Fingal
Age Friendly Active & 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.	– Positive Ageing Week – Local Heroes Campaign Cope Galway and Others – Live Well – Health and Wellbeing Information Event Laois Age Friendly & Healthy Laois – AgeWell Third Age – Monaghan Age Friendly Hospital Monaghan Hospital
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.	– Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan – Gas Networks Ireland, Dublin City Gas Networks Ireland – Foxrock Age Friendly Business Initiative, DLR Foxrock Area Community and Enterprise (FACE) – Tirlán, Kildare Tirlán Limited
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.	– Safe and Connected, Cork County Age Friendly Cork County – Home Fire Safety Visit Collab – Mayo Mayo County Fire Service – St Joseph’s House, Waterford St Joseph’s House, Age Friendly Housing Development
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.	– Carlow Older People’s Council Information Hub Carlow Older People’s Council – Hi Digital Intergenerational Project, Cork County Irish Girl Guides – Limerick Libraries Digital Tablet Lending \| Vodafone Limerick City and County Libraries
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.	– EnergyCloud Age Friendly Pilot EnergyCloud Ireland – Ardee Garden Care & Repair Project Age Friendly Louth – Towards Age Friendly Healthcare \| Walkability Study of Clondalkin Primary Care Centre South Dublin Older Person’s Council
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.	– Hearth – Art for Older People at Home Breda Mayock and Deirdre Walsh – Vulnerable Persons Programme Community Policing Tallaght Garda Station – 60+ Climate Drive Galway County Council Climate Action Team – Creative Christmas Connections Age Friendly Kilkenny – Together We Are Stronger, Carlow Annette Fox and Niamh Murphy
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.	– Baile an Róigh, Rosslare Wexford County Council – Bowden Court Fingal County Council – Cuirt an Troisc, Donegal Donegal County Council Architects Department

Galway City and County Councils hosted The Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards Ceremony for 2025 on the 23rd of October in the beautiful Galmont Hotel, Galway.