Dublin City Council launch Ireland's largest community awards
Dublin City Council is set to host Ireland’s largest community awards.
The IPB Pride of Place Awards were officially launched today and is set to take place on Saturday, 24 October 2026. Now in its 24th year, it will see 850 delegates from around the country travel to the Convention Centre in Dublin for the event.
Speaking at this morning’s launch in the Convention Centre, Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam said the awards “speak to something powerful”. He added: “They speak to the neighbour who gives their time. The volunteer who keeps showing up. The community group that sees a need and answers it. The local leaders who, day after day, make their town, village, street or neighbourhood a better place to live.
“As Lord Mayor, my theme has been Celebrating Dublin. But this October, we will have the privilege of celebrating something even wider, the pride of communities from every part of Ireland, and the people whose service, spirit and generosity hold those communities together.
“We look forward to welcoming delegates from across the country to Dublin, to the Convention Centre, and to a city that understands the value of community, the power of place, and the importance of honouring those who build both.”
The annual competition is organised by peacebuilding charity Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance. The awards were established to promote and celebrate excellence in community development and recognise the selfless efforts of individuals and groups who work tirelessly to make their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work, and socialise.
The awards were founded by Dr O’Regan, who played a significant role in advancing peace and addressing conflict arising from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. In 1978, he founded Cooperation North, an initiative aimed at breaking down cross-border divisions through economic, cultural, and social cooperation between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. An Irish innovator and visionary entrepreneur, he was committed to fostering dialogue, mutual understanding, and practical collaboration across communities.
As well as being the 24th consecutive year of the awards, 2026 also celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the headline sponsor, IPB Insurance. Dublin City Council Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare welcomed the centenary year of IPB and said the awards are a celebration of the “invaluable work carried out by volunteers and local organisations throughout the country”.
Tom Dowling, Chairman, IPB Pride of Place added: “Our Pride of Place nominees nominated by their local authority are consistently working to make their places wonderful caring places to live in. Our judges are looking forward to another year of inspirational judging experiences.”
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