Hundreds of people from across Laois converged on Portlaoise to honour the invaluable contribution made by local volunteers and voluntary organisations at the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2026.
The winners and runners up were:
- Unsung Hero Award -Sonya Stokes.
- Junior Volunteer of the Year - Kacie Constantinou; Runner-up - Leah O’Reilly Redmond.
- Arts, Culture & Heritage: Winner Abbeyleix Christmas Lights & Market; Runner- Up - Portlaoise Pantomime Group.
- Social Inclusion: Winner Portlaoise Active Retirement Association; Runner-up - Laois Friends
- Sports Award: Winner - Stradbally Riding for the Disabled Members past and present; Runner-Up - Mountrath Badminton Club
- Health and Wellbeing Award: Winner - Health & Wellbeing Award; Runner-Up - Portlaoise Community First Responders
- Climate Action Award: Winnner - Abbeyleix Community Garden; Runner-up - Rathdowney Men’s Shed.
- Best Kept Residential Estate Award: Winner - Aghnaharna Residents Association in Portlaoise; Runner-up - Hawthorn Drive Residents Association.
The award was presented at a gala reception in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise on Friday, November 13.
This is the 17th year of the awards, which were hosted by Laois County Council in association with Laois Public Participation Network and sponsored by People First Credit Union, Laois Sports Partnership, Connect Laois, and Laois Volunteer Centre.
The Leinster Express / Laois Live is the Media Partner.
1. Winners of the Arts, Culture and Heritage Award Abbeyleix Christmas Lights and Market with Michael Rainey, Laois County Council Chief Executive.
Pic: Paul Dargan
2. Winners of the Best Kept Residential Estate Award, Aghnaharna Residents Association with Vincent Booth Chair of Laois PPN
Pic: Paul Dargan.
3. Winners of the Climate Action Award Abbeyleix Community Garden with Cathaoirleach Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald.
Pic: Paul Dargan
4. Winners of the Sports Award Laois Riding for the Disabled Past and Present with JJ Carey, Chair People First Credit Union.
Pic: Paul Dargan
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