Five Fingal projects nominated for Excellence in Local Government Awards

Only 90 projects from 20 councils have been short-listed. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 18.

The five categories we have been nominated in are:

· Gearing Up For Training in Supporting Sustainable Communities

· Inside Fingal Podcast in Local Authority Innovation

· Transcending Time, Artist Aoife Dunne in Sustaining the Arts

· Swords Castle Conservation Project in Heritage and Built Environment

· Digifit for All in Disability Services Provision

The Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Seána Ó Rodaigh said: “I’m delighted that so many of our great initiatives have been recognised and nominated in the Excellence in Local Government awards. I want to congratulate everyone involved and I’m proud to see such a variety of projects being recognised as it reflects the unique and exciting initiatives and projects being implemented in Fingal.”

Last year Fingal County Council won one Excellence in Local Government Award when it received the Supporting Sustainable Communities Award for the Shop Local Website.

Chief Executive, AnnMarie Farrelly said: “I am thrilled that many of our initiatives and special projects have been shortlisted in this year’s Excellence in Local Government Awards. The nominations reflect the ongoing pursuit of excellence across the organisation and the overwhelming desire to improve the services we offer the public. I congratulate those who were directly involved in the projects that were entered into this year’s awards and I also commend those who put forward projects for judging that weren’t short-listed. I look forward to hopefully

seeing Fingal County Council build on our past successes at these awards this November.”

The Excellence in Local Government Awards showcase best practice in local government and recognise the skills, hard work, innovation and enthusiasm within local government that can often go unrecognised. The Excellence in Local Government Awards are held in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Gearing Up For Training

The “Gearing up for Training” initiative was designed to provide professional theory and practical cycle training, by the Cycle Right approved Irish Centre for Cycling, to GAA clubs. This training provided children with the necessary skills, road safety awareness and confidence to cycle to their clubhouse for training and home games, creating a healthier, more sustainable method of transport, while freeing up car parking spaces at the club for travelling teams on match days.

Inside Fingal Podcast

Produced by the Council’s Communications Unit, Inside Fingal is a podcast designed to take listeners inside Fingal County Council and give them an insight into the work being done by councillors and staff to make Fingal a better place to live, work, visit and do business in. Launched in November 2020, 12 episodes have already been aired.

Transcending Time, Artist Aoife Dunne

"Transcending Time" is an immersive mobile digital installation which aimed to brighten up the lives of Fingal residents during the Covid-19 pandemic. The exciting new artwork could be summoned directly to homes and areas in the county by visiting a dedicated website www.transcendingtime.ie. This insightful new commission by Fingal artist Aoife Dunne was presented under Fingal’s County Council’s Arts Office’s Public Art Programme and formed part of the Council’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ initiative.

Swords Castle Conservation Project

The objectives of the Swords Castle Conservation Plan are to study the monument, assess its significance as a monument and its significance within its wider environment. The Plan, which was devised by the Council’s Architects Department, also looks to provide a tool to inform and manage the future conservation of the castle and to look at future uses for the buildings and external spaces within the enclosure.

Digifit for All

This inclusive programme from the Fingal County Council Sports Office was aimed at those who prefer more gentle activities or who have limited mobility. The activities demonstrated were perfect for those who have recently been cocooning and combined stretches, upper & lower body exercises and target games for a complete workout.