Gearrliosta Ghradaim Oidhreachta Náisiúnta 2024 á Fhógairt
The Heritage Council is delighted to unveil the shortlist for the 2024 National Heritage Awards, which recognise the incredible efforts of individuals and community groups across Ireland in preserving, protecting, and promoting our rich built, natural, and cultural heritage throughout National Heritage Week.
Every year, event organisers from across Ireland bring their passion and expertise to create memorable and inspiring heritage experiences for the public. In 2024, over 2,300 events took place across the country as organisers embraced the Heritage Council’s invitation to explore the theme "Connections, Routes, and Networks." This year’s events not only reflected a nationwide commitment to preserving Ireland’s heritage but also made exceptional efforts to reach new audiences, promote biodiversity, celebrate our waterways, and champion sustainable practices, ensuring our heritage continues to thrive for future generations.
We are delighted to announce the shortlisted events across several award categories, each representing an exceptional contribution to Ireland's heritage.
The winners of all categories will be unveiled at the National Heritage Week Awards ceremony on 15th November 2024 which will be live-streamed on heritageweek.ie We look forward to celebrating the extraordinary efforts of those dedicated to preserving and promoting Ireland’s heritage. Stay tuned for the full details of the winning projects!
The categories and shortlisted events for this year are as follows:
Connections, Routes, and Networks Award
This award recognises an event that fully embraced the 2024 theme, creating connections through heritage by exploring historic routes, networks, or paths that have shaped communities.
From Salt to Stone
Mountcharles Heritage Group
Donegal
A Journey of Discovery from Mount Leinster, Co. Carlow to Bangor, Co. Down
Friends of Columbanus Myshall
Carlow
Simulation of R L Edgeworth's Pioneering TElegraphic Message from Dublin to Galway 1803
The Maria Edgeworth Centre
Longford
Wild Child Event Award
In partnership with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, this award highlights events that encouraged children and families to engage with nature on Wild Child Day, August 24th, exploring their local biodiversity and heritage in a fun, outdoor setting.
Wild Child Day Treasure Hunt
St Canice's Cathedral
Kilkenny
From Wilderness to Wonderment on Wild Child Day
St.Mullins Heritage and Tourism Group
Carlow
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Ahare River & Biodiversity Development Group
Wexford
Water Heritage Day Award
In partnership with the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) this award recognises events held on Water Heritage Day, August 25th, which celebrated local waterways and explored their importance to natural and cultural heritage.
A Boatman’s Journey: Navigating the heritage of the Grand Canal
Heritage Boat Association (HBA) and Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) and Waterways Ireland.
Inchcleraun Academic Tour
Lough Ree Access for all and Herbert Farrell
Longford
Folly Tales and Treasure Trails
Ballycumber Tidy Towns
Offaly
Inclusive Heritage Award
This award celebrates events that made a conscious effort to be inclusive, engaging with diverse communities, including people new to heritage, those with additional accessibility needs, and people of varying age groups.
Living Heritage Documentary
Good Day Cork
Cork City
Travelling Tales - Community led Traveller heritage work
Cork Traveller Women's Network
Cork City
Do you have a nose for history?
Athenry Castle OPW
Galway
Irish Language Award
This award is given to an event that promoted the use of the Irish language, encouraging engagement through Irish in activities that celebrate our heritage.
In Search of Airgíalla/Ar thóir Airghíalla
Monaghan County Council
Monaghan
Harmony and Heritage: A Milltown Tribute
Milltown Community Council and Milltown Heritage Group
Galway
Féile Saibhreas Mhachaire Rabhartaigh
Togra Fiontar & Cultúr Uladh CTR
Donegal
Sustainability and Climate Heritage Award
Awarded to an event that incorporated sustainable practices or raised awareness about climate change’s impact on heritage and the importance of sustainability.
Beaumont Blitz
Cork Nature Network
Cork
Cuan Beo Weekend of Marine Heritage Themed Events
Cuan Beo
Galway
Wild Bee Festival 2024
National Biodiversity Data Centre
Galway City Council
Intangible Cultural Heritage Award (The Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Award)
This award recognises an event that showcased an element of our intangible cultural heritage, whether through crafts, skills, customs, or other traditional practices. The winner of this award was announced at a special event on 4th October.
Winner
Maharees Currach Making Workshop with the O'Leary Family
Maharees Conservation Association CLG
Kerry
Runners-Up
Lemanaghan Stories: Tales of Tradition, Routes and Connections
Lemanaghan Bog Heritage & Conservation Group
Offaly
Traveller Living Heritage
Meath Traveller Workshop
Meath
In addition to the national awards, the Heritage Council is proud to present the County Awards, which recognise the best event or project in each local authority area. These awards celebrate initiatives that have successfully raised awareness about local heritage and actively involved the community in the process.
We are also excited to announce that the prestigious Heritage Hero Award for 2024 will be revealed at the ceremony. This award honours an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the protection and promotion of heritage over a significant period of time, based on nominations from the public.
