Nominations open for Heritage Week Awards

Noel Clare provided a history of Kilcullen's Valley Park in one of the local Heritage Week events.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 National Heritage Week Awards. Communities, organisations, and individuals across Co Kildare are invited to submit nominations to recognise the most engaging projects and events held during National Heritage Week. In 2025, there were 102 events in Co Kildare. 

Nationally, his year's Heritage Week was the biggest yet, with over 2,500 events registered and 400,000 people taking part in family-friendly activities that celebrate Ireland’s built, cultural, and natural heritage. 

The Heritage Council presents a County Award in each Local Authority Area. It is based on how well the authority raised awareness about an element of heritage, how it was promoted, and how effectively it engaged and involved the community.

Other categories include Exploring Our Foundations, Wild Child Event, Water Heritage, Inclusive Heritage, Irish Language, Sustainability and Climate, Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Award. A Heritage Hero Award honours an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding, long-term contribution to protecting and promoting Ireland’s heritage. This award is based solely on public nominations and is regarded as a lifetime achievement award.

Kildare County Council Heritage Officer, Dara Wyer, says Heritage Week in Kildare highlighted the strength of community pride and the wealth of stories, places, and traditions that define the county. "The National Heritage Week Awards provide an opportunity to recognise that dedication and to celebrate the people who help keep Kildare’s heritage alive," he said.

Nominations close at midnight on Thursday, 11 September 2025, and the winners will be announced at the National Heritage Week Awards Ceremony on Friday, 17 October 2025, at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.

Nominations from event organisers should provide details of their project and, where possible, images from the event. Members of the public are also encouraged to nominate both outstanding events and individuals they believe deserve recognition. Nominations can be made at this link. 

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