Who are the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2026 nominees?

A total of 59 individuals and groups have been nominated across eight categories in the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards 2026.

The following is the full list of nominees recognised at the Laois County Council-hosted gala Awards in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise on Friday, November 13.

Arts, Culture & Heritage Award

Sponsored by Laois County Council Arts & Heritage Sections

The Arts, Culture & Heritage Award recognises clubs, groups and organisations who enhance their local areas by conserving, protecting and promoting the arts, culture and heritage of their local community through collective creative activities. Examples include drama, music, literature, arts, festivals, conservation, and heritage.​

Nominees:

• Portlaoise Musical Society
• Abbeyleix Christmas Lights & Market
• Comhaltas Portlaoise
• Clonad GAA
• Malva Ukrainian Cultural & Art Group
• Portlaoise Pantomime Group

Sports Award

Sponsored by Laois Sports Partnership

The Sports Award is to recognise and celebrate groups in our local communities, from clubs and community organisations, that go above and beyond in their efforts to promote community sport and physical activity opportunities.

This award aims to acknowledge groups or organisations that play a leading role in their communities to help to improve the quality of life and reduce barriers to participation through physical activity or sports.

Nominees:

• VIP Hub
• The Heath GAA
• Portlaoise LGFA - Mothers & Others
• Mountrath Badminton Club
• Laois Riding for the Disabled Volunteers Past and Present
• Portlaoise Panthers Basketball - Inclusion Team
• Ballyroan LGFA

Climate Action Award

Sponsored by Laois County Council Climate Action Section

The Climate Action Award recognises communities carrying out awareness initiatives and/or actions that make a positive contribution against climate change. Climate actions can encourage your community to improve the impact of their everyday choices, support local communities and foster a sustainable approach to protecting the environment.

Nominees:

• Abbeyleix Community Garden
• Rathdowney Men's Shed
• Camross Tidy Towns

Best Kept Residential Estate Award

Sponsored by Laois County Council Environment Section

This award recognises the hard work and dedication shown in Residential Estates throughout Laois. It recognises the great pride people have in their own communities, the value of our biodiversity and continued effort, on behalf of the place they live.

Nominees:

• Aghnaharna Residence Association, Portlaoise
• Abbey Crescent, Abbeyleix
• Hawthorn Drive Residents Association, Portlaoise

Health and Well Being Award

Sponsored by Laois Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)

The Health and Well Being Award recognises community health and wellbeing groups, i.e., mental health, sexual health, awareness raising and promotion around medical conditions, disorders, and disabilities, increased meaningful daily activities, developing confidence, and providing a sense of purpose and positive self-worth for citizens in the community.

This award acknowledges community groups, organisations and clubs that promote physical and mental health and wellbeing, focusing on prevention and keeping people healthier for longer, including opportunities for social connections.

Examples: drama groups, youth activities, mental health support groups, healthy eating programmes, sexual health, social network groups, scouts, and people with differing abilities.

Nominees:

• The Arc Project
• Portlaoise Community First Responders
• Ballyroan Community Development Youth Club
• Vicarstown Park Run

Social Inclusion Award

Sponsored by Connect Laois

This award recognises groups or organisations that actively work in a supportive role in their communities and whose aim is to minimise social exclusion and/or help to improve the quality of life for socially excluded groups. Examples include working with the elderly, people with disabilities, ethnic minority, the Travelling Community, young people in transition, LGBTI+ people, and the homeless.

Nominees:

• Portlaoise Active Retirement Association
• Moldovan Community Support Group
• Laois Friends
• C-Ability
• Laois Brazilian Support Association
• Laois Baltic Association
• The Heath Golf Club - Visually Impaired Group
• Borris Innovation Centre
• Social Services Borris in Ossory
• Midlands LGBT+ Project
• The Wednesday Singers

Junior Volunteer Award

Sponsored by Laois Volunteer Centre

The Junior Volunteer of the Year Award recognises the outstanding contribution young people throughout the county have made to their local Community. Every community has individuals who are boundless in their energy and determination to get things done.

Nominees:

• Kacie Constantinou
• Misha Rehesha
• Alex Leonard
• Leah Shortall Bergin
• Leah O'Reilly Redmond
• Katie Rose Harrison
• Orlaith Coffey
• Leah O'Sullivan
• Hayleigh Breen
• Ellen McGree
• Faye McCormack
• Zoe Carton
• Kiara Duff Pender

Unsung Hero

One of the most anticipated awards each year goes to an individual, who the judges believe puts in such effort that they can be regarded as an Unsung Hero, for the work they do within their communities.

Nominees:

• Tina Murray
• Ursula O'Malley
• Jack Daly
• Caroline Cahill
• Sonya Stokes
• Clive Doody
• Esther Luttrell
• Michael Ryan
• Anthony McElroy
• Michael Dempsey
• Stacey Corbally
• Gerard Lynch

Full coverage of the awards in the Leinster Express next week on our website www.laoislive.ie and our social media channels.