South Dublin County Council has been named ‘Local Authority of the Year’ for 2025, in addition to taking home top honours in two categories – ‘Communications & Marketing’ and ‘Sustainable Development & Biodiversity’ – at this year’s Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards ceremony.
The 22nd annual awards ceremony, which took place on 27 November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin, was held in association with the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, and sponsored overall by Ørsted, and once again showcased and celebrated the best of local government in Ireland.
A record 259 submissions were received this year from 26 local authorities, with a total of 98 projects shortlisted across 16 categories. This year saw the addition of a new category – Celebrating Irish Language and Culture – to honour initiatives that preserve and promote Ireland’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Margaret Considine, President of Chambers Ireland, said: “Local authorities continue to make substantial efforts across Irish society and deliver wide-ranging positive impacts for local communities and the economy. Their role as essential partners in local and national development makes their work more significant, and the local government awards provide a platform to showcase this irreplaceable value.”
EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
She said that South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is the well-deserved recipient of the overall ‘Local Authority of the Year’ award. “It has demonstrated exceptional engagement across diverse facets of the local community, and prioritised development and sustainability for the localities to achieve this accolade.”
On receiving the award, Colm Ward, SDCC’s Chief Executive, described it as more than a trophy; “it’s a testament to the dedication of our staff, councillors and partners who work every day to create opportunity for all and to deliver quality services and projects for our citizens, communities and businesses. We’re proud to be recognised for our proactive, positive approach and our drive to make a meaningful impact.”
SDCC also won two category awards for:
- Sustainable Environment & Biodiversity: Balancing Green and Growth: Delivering Sustainable Development and Protecting Biodiversity.
- Communications & Marketing: International Protection: Fact and Fiction.
Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr Pamela Kearns congratulated the Chief Executive Colm Ward, the council’s administration and frontline staff and SDCC councillors whom she said work tirelessly for all their citizens.
“Our focus is always on solutions, on moving forward, and on shining a light on what’s possible. This award recognises not just our achievements, but our commitment to being a council that listens, acts, and inspires,” Cllr Kearns noted.
HIGHLIGHTING GREAT INITIATIVES
TJ Hunter, Senior Director, Development & Operations Ireland for Ørsted (overall awards sponsor) said the standard of the nominees this year was incredible. “This award is so important to acknowledge the enormous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes in councils up and down the country. Well done to all the staff and executive of South Dublin County Council.”
Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD, said that each year, the Excellence in Local Government awards highlight the great initiatives happening in local authorities across the country.
This year’s introduction of the new ‘Celebrating Irish Language and Culture’ category “recognises initiatives dedicated to preserving and promoting our rich linguistic and cultural heritage”, according to the Minister.
He thanked Chambers Ireland for their continued support in “championing the vital work of local authorities”, adding that the event “provides the opportunity to celebrate the efforts of the elected members, staff, and all those who work tirelessly in our local communities”.
South Dublin Mayor Cllr Pamela Kearns holds aloft the ‘Local Authority of the Year’ award, pictured with SDCC Chief Executive Colm Ward, and council officials celebrate, on winning the hat-trick of local government awards, with Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot and President Margaret Considine, along with Minister Kieran O’Donnell and TJ Hunter, Ørsted Director of Operations for Ireland (awards sponsor).
THE FULL LIST OF AWARD WINNERS
A total of 17 awards were presented at the awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry on 27 November, including the overall award for ‘Local Authority of the Year’.
*Age Friendly Initiative: Cork City Council – EnergyCloud Age Friendly Pilot Project, Cork City
*Celebrating Irish Language & Culture: Kerry County Council – Blas Beo, North Kerry Irish Language initiative
*Climate Change: Kilkenny County Council – Championing Community Climate Action, Kilkenny
*Communications & Marketing: South Dublin County Council – International Protection: Fact or Fiction
*Diversity & Inclusion: Meath County Council – Empowering Futures: Entrepreneurship Programme for People with Disabilities
*Festival of the Year: Galway City Council – Galway Climate Inspirations Festival-Communities in Action
*Health and Wellbeing: Waterford City and County Council – Good Grief
*Heritage and Built Environment: Kilkenny County Council – Restoration and conservation of Victorian Woodstock House, Gardens & Arboretum
*Municipal Districts Initiative: Carlow County Council – Community Roots Programme
*Local Authority Innovation: Midlands Ireland – Driving STEM in the Midlands
*Promoting Economic Development: Kildare County Council – The K-Hub Strategy: Driving Cluster-Led Economic Growth in Partnership
*Supporting Sustainable Communities: Fingal County Council – Meakstown Community Centre and Bloom Community Garden
*Supporting Tourism: Limerick City & County Council – Limerick Greenway: Embrace the Unexpected
*Sustainable Environment & Biodiversity: South Dublin County Council – Balancing Green and Growth: Delivering Sustainable Development and Protecting
*Sustaining the Arts: Wicklow County Council – Creative Places Baltinglass
*Urban Revival: Kerry County Council – Island of Geese – New Urban Quarter: Tralee
*Local Authority of the Year: South Dublin County Council
Individual awards were sponsored by European Recycling Platform (ERP), the Office of the Planning Regulator, Healthy Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Submit.com, IPB Insurance and EirGrid.
