Mayo group wins National Heritage Week Award for preserving local history

A Mayo community group has been recognised at the National Heritage Week Awards 2026 for its outstanding work in preserving the history, folklore and traditions of a local Gaeltacht community.

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo took home the overall award in the Irish Language category for its project, Voices of Dún Chaocháin: Recordings from the Early 1990s. The awards ceremony took place at the RDS in Dublin on October 29, celebrating individuals, community groups and organisations whose events and projects have made a significant contribution to protecting and showcasing Ireland’s built, natural and cultural heritage.

The award-winning project involves the digitisation of a valuable collection of oral and visual folklore recordings and materials gathered under the Euroform Scheme in 1992-1993 by Bríd Ní Sheighin and the late Bairbre Uí Thaidhg.

Working in partnership with Tomás Mac Conmara of Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting and Mayo County Council, Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo is ensuring that the original archive, which remained in storage for more than 30 years, can now be digitally preserved and made accessible online.

The archive captures the traditions, folklore, voices and everyday way of life of a small Gaeltacht community, providing a valuable historical resource for present and future generations. The digitised recordings will form part of Mayo County Council’s archive, as well as that of the local community organisation.

The project was showcased during National Heritage Week, which ran from August 15 to 23, under the theme Heritage at Risk. A special event was held at Seanscoil Community Centre in Ceathrú Thaidhg, where Tomás Mac Conmara delivered a presentation outlining the process involved in preserving and archiving the historic recordings.

Those attending were given the opportunity to hear the voices of local people recorded more than three decades ago. For many, the recordings brought back treasured memories, particularly as some of the people featured have since passed away.

The project highlights the importance of safeguarding local stories and memories, ensuring that the voices and experiences of previous generations remain part of the community's living heritage.

The National Heritage Week Awards recognise the dedication and creativity of communities throughout Ireland in celebrating and protecting their heritage. The success of Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo is a fitting tribute to the importance of preserving the unique language, culture and history of the Dún Chaocháin area.