Council wins five awards and retains Grand Prix at 2025 LAMA Awards

Fingal County Council projects have been successful at the LAMA All-Ireland Community and Council Awards, which were held at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.

From a record 14 short-listed projects, Fingal walked away with five awards on the night and, with 29 points,  was a clear winner of the Grand Prix which is awarded to the most successful Council on the night.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, and the Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, led the Fingal delegation in Cork and both were delighted to see so many projects emerge as winners on the night.

The Mayor said: “To have 14 projects short-listed initially was a super achievement but to then go and win five awards and retain the Grand Prix was amazing and is testament to the great work that the Council is doing in the community.”

The Chief Executive said: “To be the most successful Council for two successive years at the LAMA Awards shows a consistency of excellence in the work that we do for the people of Fingal. That is to the credit of our councillors and staff as well as the community volunteers and others whom we interact with on a daily basis.”

In addition to the Grand Prix Fingal also won the Best Housing Regeneration and Urban Planning Award for the second successive year. The Portrane Avenue project at St Ita’s Hospital in Portrane saw off competition from Laois, Cork and Donegal County Councils and Waterford City and County Council.

The project was part of the Council’s Vacant Homes Strategy and saw 14 historic cottages restored in a manner that not only preserved their architectural heritage but also incorporated energy-efficient upgrades. As well as providing high-quality homes in a high-demand location, the initiative promotes social equality, community cohesion and environmental sustainability, contributing to both the local community and broader climate goals.

Another Council project based in Portrane, the Biodiversity Improvements at St Ita’s wetlands, won the Large Section in the Best Environmental / Ecological Project ahead of projects from Carlow, Cork, Kilkenny and South Dublin County Council.

Spanning 40 acres the wetland now acts as an attenuation area and natural filter for the runoff from the new Forensic Mental Campus which has resulted in enhanced biodiversity while providing a cost-effective solution for managing surface water which resulted in a €500,000 saving as the project eliminated the need for an underground storage tank.  

A Balbriggan focused project, Project Eco Core, won the award for the Best CSR Project in a Community and emerged from a short-list that included projects from Galway City Council; as well as Galway and South Dublin County Councils; and another Fingal project called Made in Swords which was a creative collaboration between the Council, Fingal Community College and the artist and children’s author Chris Judge.

Project Eco Core focuses on advancing the green transition in Balbriggan’s Stephenstown Industrial Estate as part of the URBACT initiative which connects nine European cities to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development. Key activities include carbon footprint tracking, sustainability masterclasses, and the Balbriggan Innovation Challenge. The project supports local businesses, creates green jobs, and fosters community involvement through the URBACT Local Group.

Another Balbriggan based project, The Great Places and Spaces Map, where the Council partnered with Thrive Balbriggan, won the award for the Best Mental Initiative in a category where there were also short-listed projects from Carlow, Donegal, Roscommon County Councils and Galway City Council.

This intergenerational project promotes mental health and wellbeing by identifying 79 local spots where residents feel relaxed, calm and connected and showcases Balbriggan’s hidden gems. Created through community engagement the aim of the project is to foster a mental health friendly community.

Fingal was also short-listed for Council of the Year along with Galway City Council and Cork, Donegal, South Dublin and Wicklow County Councils with the award going to Donegal County Council.

The Council also received Certificates of Merit for the following nine projects and individuals:

• Best Green Sustainable Initiative: Fingal eCargo for Community Groups Trial and Skerries Open Orchard Project.
• Community Volunteer of the Year: John Coleman (Skerries Cycling Without Age Group).
• Best Trail / Waterways in Ireland: Harry Reynolds Road, Balbriggan.
• Most Inclusive Project: Balbriggan Library of Sanctuary.
• Best Communications Initiative / Innovation: Draiocht’s NEST.
• Best CSR Project in a Community: Made In Swords.
• Best Environmental / Ecological Project / Initiative (Education): Keen To Be Green Project.

The Bike Hub, which was a joint project between Fingal and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Councils and Dublin City Council received a Certificate of Merit in the Best Social Enterprise category.