Kildare Co Council nominated for award for Shackleton Experience
Kildare features prominently on this year’s shortlist
Four projects involving Kildare County Council have been shortlisted for the 2026 Excellence in Local Government Awards, which recognise innovative and impactful work being carried out by local authorities across Ireland.
Kildare features prominently on this year’s shortlist, with projects recognised across health and wellbeing, heritage, festivals, and Irish language and culture.
The council’s Compassion in Action – Trauma Informed Practice Conference has been shortlisted in the Health & Wellbeing category.
The initiative is among projects from local authorities across the country being recognised for their contribution to the wellbeing of communities.
Kildare County Council has also been shortlisted in the Heritage and Built Environment category for the Shackleton Experience, celebrating the county’s connection to renowned explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton.
The county’s Kildare Inclusivity Festival 2026 has received a nomination in the Festival of the Year category, while Scéim na bhFáinní – Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh Sí! has been shortlisted in the Irish Language & Culture category.
Kildare also features in the Communications category, where The Shackleton Experience: A Flagship Story of Regeneration has been shortlisted.
The Excellence in Local Government Awards are held annually by Chambers Ireland in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and are sponsored by Perigus Energy.
This year’s awards feature local authority projects across 16 categories, highlighting the breadth of work being undertaken at local level throughout Ireland.
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning John Cummins congratulated all shortlisted local authorities, describing selection from a competitive field as a considerable achievement.
Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said the awards showcase the “hard work and ambitious planning” taking place at local level, much of which can go unnoticed.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin, on November 26, with one local authority also set to be named Local Authority of the Year 2026.
The Kildare nominations provide recognition for projects spanning community inclusion, heritage, culture, wellbeing and communications.