Winners Announced for 2026 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards
Ireland’s most innovative Age Friendly initiatives celebrated for making communities great places to age and grow older
9 October 2026: Projects helping older people prepare for severe weather in Longford, supporting people to recover and remain active following illness in Dublin, and bringing retail experiences directly to older people in Clare are among the winners of the 2026 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards.
The winners were announced at the tenth annual ceremony in Limerick, organised by Age Friendly Ireland, the national body supporting Ireland’s 31 Local Authorities to deliver the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland.
Hosted by Limerick City and County Council at the Limerick Strand Hotel and MCed by RTÉ’s Marty Whelan, the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards celebrate practical initiatives improving everyday life for older people and showcase Age Friendly innovation that can be shared and replicated across Ireland.
This year, the awards are also an EU Associated Presidency event. These are events organised independently of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union which align with the themes and priorities of Ireland’s EU Presidency.
The winners were:
- Age Friendly Healthy Ageing Award: The Great Care Co-op, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Dublin.
- Age Friendly Community Innovation Award: Connemara Memory Café for Brain Health, Galway County.
- Age Friendly Communication Award: The Cyber Safety Project, Munster Technological University, Cork.
- Age Friendly Transport Award: TFI Local Link Laois Offaly.
- Age Friendly Housing Award: Greenhills Grange, Louth.
- Age Friendly Business Innovation Award: Rock the Rails Family Store Kilrush, Clare.
- Age Friendly Environment Award: The Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum Restoration and Accessibility Initiative, Kilkenny.
- Age Friendly Safety & Security Award: Storm Ready Packs, Longford.
- Age Friendly Active Living & Leisure Award: DCC Community Wellness Programme in Partnership with the HSE, Dublin City.
- Age Friendly Intergenerational Award: Product Design for Age Friendly Communities, TU Dublin.
In addition, the GAA received the Judges’ Special Recognition Award in acknowledgement of its national leadership and partnership in advancing Age Friendly initiatives. Judges highlighted the significant progress made in scaling up the Age Friendly Stadia Programme, alongside the breadth of community projects delivered by the GAA that actively involve and engage older people.
Westmeath was named Best Age Friendly Programme 2026, an award sponsored by IPB Insurance, in recognition of its strong performance across community engagement, innovation and delivery. An early adopter of the Age Friendly process, Westmeath has consistently demonstrated leadership through an Older People’s Council with more than 700 members, a strong pipeline of Age Friendly activity, flagship health and wellbeing initiatives, and a commitment to Age Friendly housing, including a 20% objective for Age Friendly and universal design housing within its Housing Delivery Action Plan.
The 2026 Awards also mark an important year for title sponsor IPB Insurance, which celebrates its centenary this year and has a long-standing partnership with Age Friendly Ireland.
Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council and Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, said “Being recognised as an EU Presidency associated event provides an important opportunity to showcase Ireland’s leadership in responding to the needs of an ageing population. These Awards demonstrate how Age Friendly principles are being translated into practical action in communities across the country. What makes these projects particularly valuable is that they respond to real needs identified locally. By recognising and sharing what works, we can help successful ideas travel beyond the communities where they began and contribute to wider learning both nationally and across Europe.”
“I would like to extend my deepest thanks to Limerick City and County Council for hosting the awards this year. We’re very proud to be celebrating this year’s awardees here in the Treaty County. I would also like to thank our sponsor, IPB Insurance for their continued support of the Age Friendly programme.”
Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of Age Friendly Ireland, said: “These Awards demonstrate what Age Friendly action looks like in practice. The winning projects have listened to older people, identified what can improve everyday life and turned that insight into practical action. By recognising these initiatives nationally, we want to celebrate their impact while encouraging other communities and organisations to learn from them, adapt them and build on what works.
John Kearns, CEO of IPB Insurance, said: “IPB Insurance is proud to partner with the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards in our centenary year, and particularly to sponsor the Best Age Friendly Programme Award. Westmeath is a deserving winner, demonstrating the kind of strong local leadership, sustained community engagement and practical delivery that can make a real difference to older people. As Ireland’s only mutual insurer, we see the value of this work across the country, and Westmeath is an excellent example of what can be achieved through long-term commitment and collaboration.”
Pat Dowling, Chair of the Age Friendly Awards Selection Panel, said: “The judging panel visited and assessed an exceptional range of projects from across Ireland, and we were struck by both the creativity of the ideas and their tangible impact on older people and communities. Selecting the winners was extremely difficult, and I warmly congratulate all of this year’s winners and shortlisted projects on the standard they have set.”
Speaking at the awards night, Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said: “Limerick is proud to host these national awards and to celebrate the people and organisations helping older people to remain active, connected and valued. Their work reflects the strong sense of community and inclusion that we are proud to champion here in Limerick.”
Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Tom Ruddle commented: “Across Limerick, we recognise that the voices, experiences and contributions of older people are central to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities. These awards recognise the dedication and creativity helping to build stronger, more inclusive and age friendly communities.”
Dr Pat Daly, Director General, Limerick City and County Council, said: “It has been a privilege for Limerick to host this national celebration of Age Friendly leadership and innovation. Local Authorities have an important role in creating communities where people can remain active, connected and independent as they age, and this year’s winners show what can be achieved when older people, communities, businesses and national and local partners work together.”
For more information about this year’s Awards and the winning projects, visit agefriendlyireland.ie.
