Fingal County Council scooped significant honours including the Best Housing Regeneration and Urban Planning for the second successive year on its way to a Grand Prix victory at this year's LAMA All-Ireland Community and Council Awards.

Fingal collected five awards at the event, which was held on Saturday, February 22, at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork, for a winning total of 29 points.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, was delighted to see so many projects emerge as winners on the night.

The Chief Executive said: "To be the most successful Council for two successive years at the LAMA Awards shows a consistency of excellence in the work that we do for the people of Fingal. That is to the credit of our councillors and staff as well as the community volunteers and others whom we interact with on a daily basis."

-- Advertisement --

Fingal's Portrane Avenue project at St Ita’s Hospital in Portrane saw off competition from Laois, Cork and Donegal County Councils and Waterford City and County Council.

The project was part of the council's Vacant Homes Strategy and saw 14 historic cottages restored in a manner that not only preserved their architectural heritage but also incorporated energy-efficient upgrades. As well as providing high-quality homes in a high-demand location, the initiative promotes social equality, community cohesion and environmental sustainability, contributing to both the local community and broader climate goals.

Another council project based in Portrane, the Biodiversity Improvements at St Ita’s wetlands, won the Large Section in the Best Environmental / Ecological Project ahead of projects from Carlow, Cork, Kilkenny and South Dublin County Council.

Spanning 40 acres the wetland now acts as an attenuation area and natural filter for the runoff from the new Forensic Mental Campus which has resulted in enhanced biodiversity while providing a cost-effective solution for managing surface water which resulted in a €500,000 saving as the project eliminated the need for an underground storage tank.  

Other winning projects included Balbriggan focused projects, Project Eco Core and The Great Places and Spaces Map.

Fingal also received Certificates of Merit for nine projects and individuals.

The Bike Hub, which was a joint project between Fingal and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Councils and Dublin City Council, received a Certificate of Merit in the Best Social Enterprise category.