Carlow project honoured with national award that recognises innovation around communication

An innovative project in Carlow improving access to relevant, up-to-date information for older people has been awarded the Age Friendly Communications Award at the 2025 National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards.

The winners were announced at the ninth annual ceremony in Galway which was organised by Age Friendly Ireland.

The awards highlight the commitment of communities across the country to improving the quality of life for older people.

Hosted by RTÉ’s Marty Whelan, the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards celebrate excellence across eight categories, each aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) Age Friendly themes.

Carlow Older People's Information Hub won the Age Friendly Communication Award, which was sponsored by An Post. 

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"I am delighted to see a project from Carlow receive national recognition at this year’s Age Friendly Achievement and Recognition Awards. This initiative is a wonderful example of how creative, collaborative approaches can make a real difference to the lives of older people. I want to congratulate everyone involved in this achievement and look forward to seeing the impact the initiative makes across the county — and its potential to be replicated nationally," Coilín O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Carlow County Council, said.

The other winners were:

Age Friendly Transport Award (sponsored by the Department of Transport): Accessible Hospital Bus Service, Meath.
Age Friendly Community Innovation Award (sponsored by the Department of Rural & Community Development): Vulnerable Persons Programme, Dublin.
Age Friendly Housing Award (sponsored by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage): Baile an Róigh, Rosslare, Wexford.
Age Friendly Environment Award (sponsored by the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority (NDA)): EnergyCloud, Age Friendly Pilot, Cork.
Age Friendly Safety & Security Award (sponsored by An Garda Síochána): St. Joseph’s House, Waterford.
Age Friendly Business Innovation Award (sponsored by Chambers Ireland): Tirlán, Kildare.
Age Friendly Active & Healthy Ageing Award (sponsored by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE)): Live Well – Health and Wellbeing Information Event, Laois.

In addition, Iarnród Éireann received the Judge’s Special Recognition Award, acknowledging its leadership in expanding the Age Friendly Train Stations Programme.

The judges commended the company’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, noting that it "sets a benchmark for Age Friendly transport in Ireland."