Nominations open for 2025 National Heritage Week Awards for Mayo

The Heritage Council has announced that nominations are now open for the 2025 National Heritage Awards. Communities, organisations, and individuals across Mayo have been invited to submit nominations to recognise the most engaging projects and events presented during National Heritage Week. 

With 90 events in Mayo alone, this year’s National Heritage Week was the biggest yet, celebrating all of Ireland’s built, cultural and natural heritage. 

The Heritage Council presents a County Award in each Local Authority. The award is set to recognise the best event or project in Mayo and is based on how well it raised awareness about an element of heritage.

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In 2024, the Launch of the Sand Martin Wall Nesting Initiative, run by the Clogher Environmental Group, won the County Award for Co Mayo.

Additionally, the 2025 National Heritage Week Awards feature a wide range of national categories, reflecting the diversity of heritage across Ireland. 

• Exploring Our Foundations Award - Events in this category should encourage attendees to delve into the building blocks of our heritage, uncovering not only the physical structures that surround us but also the cultural and natural elements that have shaped our communities over time.

• Wild Child Event Award – This award recognises events that took place on Wild Child Day, 23rd August 2025, which successfully encouraged children and families to get outdoors and discover the richness of natural heritage and biodiversity in their local area.

• Water Heritage Award -  This award recognises events held on Water Heritage Day, 24th August 2025. Eligible events will have explored how rivers, canals, lakes or the sea shaped the heritage of a locality, or celebrated water as an integral and vital part of Ireland’s natural heritage.

• Inclusive Heritage Award - This award recognised those who have made a special effort to ensure heritage was shared with everyone in the community. This includes newcomers to heritage, those without local roots, people with additional accessibility needs, and participants across a wide range of age groups.

• Irish Language Award – The award is presented to an event that was delivered through Irish and/or encouraged active participation in the Irish language as part of National Heritage Week.
• Sustainability and Climate Award – This award recognises events that incorporate environmentally friendly practices to reduce carbon footprint and limit impact on the natural world.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage Award – The Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Award – This award recognises events and projects that encouraged greater appreciation of Ireland’s intangible cultural heritage, such as crafts, skills, customs and practices passed down through generations.

Speaking on the opening of the nominations, Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council said: “The National Heritage Week Awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise the remarkable work of communities and individuals who bring our heritage to life. Year after year, we are inspired by the creativity, generosity and dedication shown by organisers across the country. These Awards allow us to celebrate that spirit and to highlight the people and projects that inspire future generations to become custodians of our shared heritage. I encourage everyone to get involved and make a nomination.”

Mayo County Council Heritage Officer, Deirdre Cunningham said: “Heritage Week in Mayo was a special opportunity to celebrate the unique landscapes, traditions and stories that define our county. This year’s events showed the huge dedication and creativity of local communities in bringing heritage to life.”

Nominations close at midnight on Thursday, September 11, and the winners will be announced at the National Heritage Week Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.

Event organisers making a nomination should provide details of their project and, where possible, images from the event.

Nominations can be made here: https://www.heritageweek.ie/awards