Galway City Council took home two awards at the prestigious Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, held last week in the Crowne Plaza in Dublin.
The winning projects were ‘Galway City – Your Council’ Podcast in Communications; and ‘Reflections – A Commemoration of the Irish Women of 1923’ in Sustaining the Arts.
Local authorities provide over 1,100 services, across areas as diverse as beach maintenance, dog pounds, health promotion, strategic planning, tourism promotion, and housing supply.
The ‘Galway City – Your Council’ podcast introduces some of the people delivering these services, and the valuable work they do every day in our city.
“Reflections – A Commemoration of the Irish Women of 1923″: was a programme that honoured the remarkable Irish women who played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s history during the crucial year of 1923.
Part of the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative, this multifaceted project served as a heartfelt tribute to these influential figures.
The public event at St Nicholas Collegiate Church in November 2023 featured a captivating performance encompassing visual art, literature, and music.
Artists included visual artist Áine Philips and the Dún Emer Eastside Collective, writer Emily Cullen and The Comhrá na mBan Centenary Westside Writers Group, musician Tracy Buren and The Women’s Centenary Choir Galway City.
In December 2024, Galway City Museum will showcase and receive the beautiful banners made by the Dún Emer Collective, led by Artist Aine Philips, into the museum collection as part of the project’s legacy.
The innovative pilot conservation grazing project ‘Buaile Bó Ballyloughane’ was also shortlisted in the Sustainable Environment and Biodiversity category.
The Excellence in Local Government Awards, sponsored by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are held to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work being carried out by Local Authorities all over Ireland.
Speaking about the awards, Chief Executive Leonard Cleary, said, “I’m delighted to see the innovative work of the staff of Galway City Council recognised at these awards, which showcase exceptional work by local authorities across the country.”
“To have two category winners and a nomination in these highly competitive awards is a reflection of the dedication of our staff to their communities, delivering services on a daily basis – with these three projects just a snapshot of the work ongoing throughout the City.”
“It’s wonderful to see our work recognised at a national level by the Chambers Ireland judges.”
