The Heritage Council's National Heritage Week Awards celebrate the most engaging projects and events organised by National Heritage Week event organisers.
Each year the Heritage Council bring together the best events from National Heritage Week for a celebration of the work by communities and organisations to create events for National Heritage Week.
We invite you to help us highlight those that contribute to highlighting our heritage, the people who help mould and encourage future generations to be custodians of our heritage.
2025 National Award Categories
Exploring Our Foundations Award
The Exploring Our Foundations Award is awarded to an event that made a special effort to incorporate the 2025 theme of National Heritage Week; Exploring Our Foundations. Namely the event should demonstrate its link with the theme of National Heritage Week encouraging attendees to delve into the building blocks of our heritage; uncovering not just the structures that surround us but also the cultural and natural elements that have impacted us and our communities
Wild Child Event Award
The Wild Child Event Award Is awarded to an event that took place on Wild Child Day 23rd August 2025 that successfully encouraged children and families to get outdoors and explore the natural heritage and biodiversity in their locality.
Water Heritage Day Award
In conjunction with the Local Authority Waters Programme
The Water Heritage Award is awarded to a Water Heritage Day event, held on 24th August 2025. Events considered include those that explored how a canal, river, lake or sea shaped the heritage of a locality or celebrated water as an integral part of our natural heritage.
Inclusive Heritage Award
The Inclusive Heritage Award is awarded to an event or project that made a special effort to share heritage with everyone in the community, including those who are:
- new to heritage
- those who do not have local roots
- those who have additional accessibility needs
- those of varying age categories
Irish Language Award
The Irish Language Award is awarded to an event that took place through the Irish Language and/or encouraged participation or activity in the Irish language.
Sustainability and Climate Award
The Sustainability and Climate Heritage Award is awarded to an event or project that made efforts to incorporate environmentally friendly practices to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the natural world
Or an event that provided education on the impact of climate change and good sustainability practices.
Intangible Cultural Heritage Award- The Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Award
The Intangible Cultural Heritage Award is awarded to an event or project that encouraged a greater appreciation of an element of our intangible cultural heritage - crafts, skills, customs and practices.
County Award
The county award is the recognition of the best event in a local authority area.
Heritage Hero Award
Every year the Heritage Council awards the Heritage Hero Award to an individual or organisation that has demonstrated – over a substantial period of time – an outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of heritage. This award is based on nominations from the public.
You can nominate as a event organiser or nominate as a member of the public who attended an event that you believe should be nominated. To complete the form you will need to provide information on the event including images from the event if possible.
2025 Heritage Hero Award
Every year the Heritage Council awards the Heritage Hero Award to an individual or organisation that has demonstrated – over a substantial period of time – an outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of heritage. This award is based on nominations from the public.
This award recognises the work and contribution made to heritage in Ireland. Nominations are welcome from the public for an individual or organisation you deem worthy of this award.
County Award
In addition to the National Awards (above). The Heritage Council also gives a "County Award" to the best event or project in each Local Authority Area as nominated. This award is based on how well the event or project raised awareness about an element of heritage and how they promoted the event and involved the community.
View the winners for 2024 below
Closing Date
The closing date for entries is midnight, Thursday 11th September
Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony will take place on Friday 17th October 2025 at Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.
2023 Awards
The 2023 National Heritage Week Awards took place at Gloster House in Co. Offaly on 20th October 2023. The Awards was hosted by Sile Seoige and featured seven awards in total.
2022 Awards
The National Heritage Week Award took place at the RCPI in Dublin on 20th October 2022. These were the first in-person awards for three years.
2021 Awards
The 2021 National Heritage Week Awards took place in October 2021 in Croke Park under Covid restrictions. There were six awards in total awarded during the ceremony. Here is a full list of winners and runners-up.
2020 Awards
The National Heritage Week Awards in 2020 was a virtual event. There was seven awards distributed during the event for virtual projects run through the year.