Mayo changemakers shortlisted for prestigious RDS Foundation awards
Local finalists to represent Co Mayo at the national sustainability festival in Dublin
Three changemakers from Mayo have been shortlisted for the 2026 RDS Foundation Awards 2026, highlighting the county’s growing role in sustainability and rural innovation.
The awards, organised by the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), recognise individuals and organisations driving progress in areas such as the circular economy, agriculture and environmental conservation.
Mayo will be represented across multiple categories, with Accelerating Change Together CLG shortlisted in the Circular Economy Awards (Social Enterprise category), while Joe O’Neill and Paul Maguire have been recognised in the forestry categories.
Joe O’Neill has been shortlisted for the Teagasc Farm Forestry Award, while Paul Maguire is in contention for the Native Woodland Conservation Award.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Dublin on April 16, held as part of the Finding Common Ground Festival 2026.
The festival and awards aim to showcase practical solutions that balance environmental sustainability with economic development, a challenge the RDS says is central to Ireland’s future.
Sarah Keating, Sustainability and Innovation Programme Manager with the RDS, said the finalists exemplify the festival’s theme.
“They are doing the work on the ground — showing that the transition to a sustainable future is not just a theory, but a practical reality that strengthens local communities and economies,” she said.
The awards programme, which has been running for decades, celebrates leadership in sustainable farming, forestry and enterprise, with a strong emphasis on supporting rural communities.
The recognition of Mayo-based finalists reflects the county’s growing reputation for innovation in sustainability, from community-led social enterprises to environmental stewardship in forestry.
The ceremony is expected to bring together leaders from across Ireland to share ideas and highlight solutions that can help build a more resilient and sustainable future.