Ireland's Heritage Hero 2016 – Matt Farrell

23 February 2017

The Heritage Council has awarded the Ireland's Heritage Hero Award 2016 to Matt Farrell from Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford.

Matt has spent a lifetime involved in heritage and community development in Edgeworthstown. His work shows an understanding of the important link between people and place, and how an appreciation of our shared heritage can build a community.

Read about all the 2016 Award Winners.

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National Heritage Week Awards 2026 - Winners and Runners-up Announced

The National Heritage Week Awards 2026 ceremony took place on Thursday, 29 October 2026, celebrating the individuals, community groups and organisations whose outstanding events helped showcase and protect Ireland's built, natural and cultural heritage.

The 2026 Awards recognise the most engaging and inspiring events from National Heritage Week 2026. Over the course of nine days from 15–23 August, communities across Ireland came together to celebrate local heritage through walks, talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances and family events. This year's theme, Heritage at Risk, encouraged people to explore and protect the places, traditions, skills and stories that form an important part of our shared heritage.

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National Heritage Week 2026 Awards County Winners

The County Award recognises the work of many groups and volunteers across Ireland for National Heritage Week. Through their dedication and work they contribute to making National Heritage Week a festival that can be enjoyed by all. Here are the County winners for each local authority area. Congratulations to the 2026 County Award Winners!

Gearoid O Brien NHW Hero 2026

National Heritage Week 2026 Heritage Hero Announced

The Heritage Council is delighted to share that the 2026 National Heritage Week Heritage Hero has been awarded to Gearóid O'Brien for his lifelong dedication to preserving, promoting and celebrating the heritage of Athlone and Ireland.

The Heritage Hero award honours an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding, long-term contribution to the protection and promotion of Ireland's heritage. Unlike the other categories, this award is based solely on public nominations and is considered a lifetime achievement award.