Ireland’s most innovative Age Friendly initiatives celebrated for making communities great places to grow older
24 October 2025: Innovative projects tackling energy poverty for older people in Cork and transforming a historic former convent into age friendly homes in Waterford were among the winners of the 2025 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards.
The winners were announced at the ninth annual ceremony in Galway, organised by Age Friendly Ireland, the national organisation implementing the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland. The awards highlight the commitment of communities across the country to improving the quality of life for older people.
Hosted by Galway City and County Councils at the Galmont Hotel and MCed by RTÉ’s Marty Whelan, the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards celebrate excellence across eight categories, each aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) Age Friendly themes.
The winners were:
- Age Friendly Transport Award (sponsored by the Department of Transport): Accessible Hospital Bus Service, Meath.
- Age Friendly Community Innovation Award (sponsored by the Department of Rural & Community Development): Vulnerable Persons Programme, Dublin.
- Age Friendly Communication Award (sponsored by An Post): Carlow Older People’s Information Hub, Carlow.
- Age Friendly Housing Award (sponsored by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage): Baile an Róigh, Rosslare, Wexford.
- Age Friendly Environment Award (sponsored by the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority (NDA)): EnergyCloud, Age Friendly Pilot, Cork.
- Age Friendly Safety & Security Award (sponsored by An Garda Síochána): St. Joseph’s House, Waterford.
- Age Friendly Business Innovation Award (sponsored by Chambers Ireland): Tirlán, Kildare.
The winners were announced at the ninth annual ceremony in Galway, organised by Age Friendly Ireland, the national organisation implementing the Government’s vision of an Age Friendly Ireland.
Image: Andrew Downes
- Age Friendly Active & Healthy Ageing Award (sponsored by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE)): Live Well – Health and Wellbeing Information Event, Laois.
In addition, Iarnród Éireann received the Judge’s Special Recognition Award, acknowledging its leadership in expanding the Age Friendly Train Stations Programme. The judges commended the company’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, noting that it “sets a benchmark for Age Friendly transport in Ireland.”
Speaking at the awards, Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD, said: “Ireland is a country that collectively celebrates and values our older people. These National Awards serve as a way to acknowledge the exceptional projects and initiatives for older people throughout Ireland and to continue to promote the message about the importance of making sure that our society is inclusive for everyone across the life course. These awards celebrate the impact of large and small projects on older people’s quality of life.
“As Minister for Older People, I would like to thank the event organiser, Age Friendly Ireland as well as all of the shortlisted projects for the high calibre of work they do to transform Ireland into an Age Friendly society.”
Catherine Lenihan, Chair of the National Network of Older People’s Councils, said: “The National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards showcase the spirit of what being age friendly is all about. The quality and creativity of projects nationwide demonstrate Ireland’s commitment to the Age Friendly vision. Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted projects whose innovative ideas have truly improved the quality of life for older people. I look forward to seeing these ideas adapted and replicated in communities across the country.”
Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive, Meath County Council added: “This year marked the ninth year of the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards, and the calibre remains exceptional. Every year, I am impressed by the creativity, innovation and collaboration shown by organisations and businesses across Ireland. These awards recognise the work of everyone — from the community volunteers to local authorities and businesses — who work tirelessly to support older members of their communities.”
Pat Dowling, Chair of the Age Friendly Awards Selection Panel said: “As my first year chairing the judging panel, I was both honoured and inspired to witness the breadth of work taking place across the country. We visited every shortlisted project and were deeply impressed by the impact each and every one is having on its community. Selecting the winners was no easy task. A warm congratulations to all who were recognised for their outstanding examples of Age Friendly innovation.”
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive, Galway City/County Council, added: “Together with Galway City and Galway County Council, it has been a real honour for Galway to host this year’s Age Friendly Awards. Since becoming an Age Friendly county in 2014, Galway has remained deeply committed to listening to inter-generational voices of all ages and in particular ensuring that the voice of older people continues to shape our communities at every stage. These awards reflect the strength of that partnership and the shared determination across local authorities to make Ireland a truly age friendly country.”
For more information about this year’s awards, visit agefriendlyireland.ie.
