South Dublin County Council named Local Authority of the Year 2025 at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards
27 November 2025
South Dublin County Council was named Local Authority of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards which took place on 27 November 2025. The 22nd annual Awards ceremony was held in association with the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, sponsored by Ørsted, showcasing and celebrating the best of Local Government in Ireland.
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 all the more significant, and the Local Government Awards provide a platform to showcase this irreplaceable value.
Congratulations to Local Authority of the Year, South Dublin County Council, along with the category winners, shortlisted organisations, and the dedicated teams behind these outstanding projects. South Dublin County Council is the well-deserved recipient of the overall Local Authority of the Year Award. They have demonstrated exceptional engagement across diverse facets of their local community, and prioritised development and sustainability for their localities to achieve this accolade.
South Dublin County Council thoroughly deserves this recognition and has truly earned the title of Local Authority of the Year.”
Ørsted were the overall sponsors of the awards and TJ Hunter, Senior Director, Development & Operations Ireland said,
“Huge congratulations to South Dublin County Council on taking home the coveted title of Local Authority of the Year for 2025. The standard of the nominees this year was incredible to see, and 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 of the staff and executive of South Dublin County Council.”
The event was held in association with the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. Minister Kieran O’Donnell said
“Each year, the Excellence in Local Government awards highlight the great initiatives happening in local authorities across the country. This year, I was pleased to see the introduction of the new Celebrating Irish Language and Culture category, which recognises initiatives dedicated to preserving and promoting our rich linguistic and cultural heritage. I wish to thank Chambers Ireland for their continued support in championing the vital work of local authorities, and this event provides the opportunity to come together once again to celebrate the efforts of the elected members, staff, and all those who work tirelessly in our local communities”.
Thre were seventeen awards presented on the night including the overall award for Local Authority of the Year. 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.
Specially commissioned crystal awards designed by Waterford Crystal were presented to the winners on the night.
The full list of winners is as follows:
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
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
-ENDS-
For more information contact James Kiernan at james.kiernan@chambers.ie
Excellence in Local Government Awards:
The Excellence in Local Government Awards are hosted by Chambers Ireland in partnership with the Department of the Housing, Local Government and Heritage to showcase the best practice in local government across Ireland. The annual Awards began in 2004 to recognise the Local Authority of the Year and many other achievements delivered by Local Authorities now across fifteen categories.