Galway City Council took home the Best Trail/ Waterway in Ireland Award for the Eglinton Canal Active Travel Scheme, in the All-Ireland Community and Council Awards 2025, at the national ceremony in Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork on Saturday 22 February. Now in its 19th year, the All Ireland Community and Council Awards recognise and celebrate the work of local authorities within communities. Galway City Council was shortlisted for a total of 10 awards across a diverse range of categories. A record 311 nominations were received this year.
The winning project - the Eglinton Canal Active Travel Scheme - saw the rejuvenation of an historic canal towpath, and the construction of new crossings and traffic calming measures to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. This has allowed the Eglinton Canal to become a pleasant car-free city-centre trail with seamless connections to destinations including Galway Cathedral, University of Galway, and University Hospital Galway, as well as Galway City Centre and the Spanish Arch.
Commenting on the awards, Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council said, “I’m delighted to see the work and dedication of staff and Elected Members of Galway City Council recognised at the All Island Community and Council Awards 2025. Over 630 staff and 18 Elected Members work on a daily basis throughout our city, to deliver services and infrastructure for the people of Galway. With 10 shortlisted projects, and a win for the Best Trail/ Waterway in Ireland for the Eglinton Canal Active Travel Scheme, these awards recognise Galway City Council’s strategic and community-driven approach to enhance the lives of residents, but also to position Galway as a leader in progressive, sustainable city development”.
Cllr Níall McNelis, Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway commented, “Congratulations to all of those shortlisted and winning an award on behalf of Galway City Council this evening. Staff and Elected Members look forward to building on these achievements for the people of Galway City, to support flourishing communities and continued collaboration.”
The ten shortlisted projects were:
- Council of the Year 2025: Galway City
- Best Mental Health: Galway Positive Ageing Week – Galway City and Galway County
- Best Irish Language Initiative: Gaillimh le Gaeilge
- Best Trail/Waterway in Ireland: Eglinton Canal (Category Winner)
- Best Energy Smart Initiative: Net Zero Pilot City
- Best Community Wellbeing: The Air we Share
- Best CSR Project in Community: Ballybane Project
- National Impact Award: Platform 94
- Best Environmental/ Ecological Project: Buaile Bó Ballyloughane – Conservation Grazing Project
- Best Micro Start Up: MartEye
Read more about the awards at https://lamaawards.ie/