Awards

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.

2026 National Award Categories

Heritage At Risk Award

The Heritage At Risk Award is awarded to an event that made a special effort to incorporate the 2026 theme of National Heritage Week; Heritage at Risk. Namely the event should demonstrate its link with the theme of National Heritage Week encouraging attendees to delve into the built, natural and cultural aspects of our heritage that are endangered, and encourage the audience to think about and reimagine and revive these sites, artefacts and practices.

Wild Child Event Award

The Wild Child Event Award Is awarded to an event that took place on Wild Child Day 22nd August 2026 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 River Basin Management Service

The Water Heritage Award is awarded to a Water Heritage Day event, held on 23rd August 2026. 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.

Closing date for Nominations is Tuesday 15th September 2026.

Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 29th October 2026 at the Grand Hall, RDS, Dublin.