2025 Awards
The National Heritage Week 2025 Awards took place on 17th October at the Irish Museum of Modern Art at Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The Awards ceremony was hosted by returning host Sile Seoige with eight Awards being distributed.
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.
The 2025 Award went to Paula Harvey. Paula deservedly won the Award for her Paula Harvey for her four decades of work as a pioneering archaeologist, curator and community leader.
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 2025 Winners below
Exploring Our Foundations Award
The Exploring Our Foundations Award celebrates the events the really embraced the theme of National Heritage Week 2025 delving into the building blocks of who we are.
Winner
Event: A.K. ILEN, Ireland's last wooden ocean-going shipOrganiser: Sailing Into Wellness County: Cork
As part of Heritage Week 2025, ILEN was proudly docked in Kinsale, Co. Cork on August 16th and 17th. Visitors were welcomed aboard for guided tours, engaging talks by her crew, and hands-on demonstrations of traditional ropework and nautical knots. The event celebrated ILEN’s remarkable history and her ongoing role in community wellbeing, drawing enthusiastic crowds and fostering a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s maritime heritage.
Inclusive Event 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.
Winner
Mealagh Valley Heritage Day Mealagh Valley Community Centre Cork
This family-friendly event brought the entire valley community together to celebrate and explore the rich heritage of the region. At its heart was the launch of “Voices of the Valley”, a compelling documentary capturing the vibrant oral histories of local residents and weaving stories of the past into the fabric of modern life.
Irish Language Award
The Irish Language Award is awarded to an event that took place through the Irish Language or made a special effort to encourage participation or activity in the Irish language.
Winner
Toibreacha Beannaithe ChontaeGalway County Council Galway
Rinneadh ceiliúradh sa taispeántas Toibreacha Beannaithe (‘Holy Wells’) ar oidhreacht shaibhir spioradálta agus chultúrtha Chontae na Gaillimhe ó pheirspictíocht a fhoinsí uisce naofa. Bhí an taispeántas seo ar an bpríomhthoradh ar an tionscnamh taighde agus caomhnaithe The Audit of the Holy Wells in the County of Galway a chuir Oifig Oidhreachta Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe ar siúl.
Wild Child Award
Wild Child Day takes place on the final Saturday of Heritage Week each year. The Wild Child Event Award is awarded to an event that successfully encouraged children and families to get outdoors and explore the natural heritage and biodiversity in their locality.
Winner
Wild Child Day - All about Otters Maigue Rivers Trust Limerick
As part of Heritage Week’s Wild Child Day, children and families were invited by the Maigue Rivers Trust to explore the world of otters at Lough Gur with expert Albert Nolan. The event focused on otter ecology, tracking, and habitat creation in a hands-on and engaging way.
Water Heritage Day
The Water Heritage Award is awarded to a Water Heritage Day event that encourages the public to explore how waterways such as canals, rivers, lakes or sea shaped the heritage of a locality or an event that celebrated water as an integral part of our natural heritage.
Winner
Paddling the Past – A Heritage Kayak Tour of the River Bride Conna Community Council, Cork
Water Heritage Day was celebrated on the River Bride through a blend of history, nature, and adventure. Organised by the Conna Community Group, the day began at Aghern with engaging talks by local historians, exploring the river’s influence on settlement, industry, and folklore. Families enjoyed games and activities along the riverbank while others prepared for the main event—a guided kayak trip.
Sustainability & 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 provided education on the impact of climate change and good sustainability practices.
Winner
Native Woodland Re-Establishments Woodlands of Ireland Sligo
This Heritage Week event featured two free workshops focused on early maintenance of native woodlands at the HSE Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park near Sligo.
The Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh/Intangible Cultural Heritage Award
The ‘Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh – Gradam Dúchais’ was awarded for the first time in 2024. This award celebrates Ireland’s Intangible CulturalHeritage and 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.
Winner
Celebrating Irish Road Bowling at Ballyvolane HouseBallyvolane House Cork
Ballyvolane House hosted a special afternoon celebrating the tradition of Irish road bowling, particularly its deep roots in north-east Cork. The event began with a guided tour of the historic estate by owner Justin Green, a member of Historic Houses of Ireland.
