Laois Co Council shortlisted as council of the year

LAOIS Co Council has been shortlisted for Council of the Year at this year’s All -Ireland Community and Council Awards.

The All-Ireland Community and Council Awards, which are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, are hosted by the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) and are sponsored by IPB Insurance. The awards were founded to showcase and recognise collaboration between communities and councils.

Chief Executive of Laois Co Council Michael Rainey was thrilled by the announcement: “I am delighted to share that Laois has been nominated for multiple projects at the 2026 All-Ireland Community and Council Awards, as well as being shortlisted for the prestigious Council of the Year title. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff across the organisation.’’ Along with being shortlisted for the overall Council of the Year, Laois Co Council has been shortlisted in the following categories: Best Enterprise & Start Up Hub for The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence, Best Community – Scale Enhancement for The Poet’s Cottage Café in Camross, Best Housing Regeneration & Urban Planning for Goldencroft Urban Regeneration Project in Portlaoise, Best Sustainable Infrastructure & Climate Action for Portlaoise Low Carbon Town and Excellence in Sustainable Major Infrastructure Delivery for Portlaoise Low Carbon Town.

Alongside the various individual shortlistings, Laois Co Council was also shortlisted alongside Longford, Offaly and Westmeath county councils in the National Impact Award category, which awards a project or initiative that has had a positive effect on the nation as a whole, for driving STEM in the Midlands.