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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has been named a winner of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards 2026 for a nationwide training and guidance programme focused on boosting energy efficiency in heritage properties under State care.
The accolade, conferred in the awards' Education, Training and Skills category, acknowledges the OPW's development of technical guidance and tailored training that help professionals deliver energy upgrades in a manner that protects architectural and cultural value.
Welcoming the announcement, Rosemary Collier, Head of Heritage Service and Capital Works Delivery at the OPW, said: "The OPW is honoured to receive the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Award 2026.
Launched in 2021, the OPW's initiative set out practical steps to address the complex challenge of improving energy performance in historic buildings. A core output was the guidance document 'OPW Approaches to Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care', supported by six case studies spanning different building types.
The EU co-funded programme culminated in 2025 with a three-day training event delivered by 35 Irish and international experts and attended by more than 400 public-sector stakeholders. The OPW has made the guidance and training resources available online for wider public access.
OPW Chairman, John Conlon said: "Winning this award is a testament to our dedication to pioneering innovative solutions for Ireland's historic buildings.
"By engaging over 400 professionals and stakeholders through targeted training and practical guidance, the OPW has empowered a new generation to deliver sensitive, effective energy improvements in heritage buildings.
"We are proud to lead the way in safeguarding our national cultural heritage while advancing climate action."
The awards jury praised the initiative's practical impact, stating: "The initiative strengthens the capacity of public authorities and heritage professionals to apply European energy-efficiency standards in historic buildings in a structured and practical way. It combines high technical quality with a balanced approach that safeguards heritage value while contributing to long-term climate goals."
Winners will be celebrated at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony 2026 on 28 May at the Municipal Theatre of Nicosia, Cyprus. The event will be hosted by European Commissioner Glenn Micallef and Europa Nostra's Executive President, Prof. Dr. Hermann Parzinger, with the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, attending as a guest of honour.
The Public Choice Award, selected from this year's laureates, will also be announced at the ceremony. Heritage supporters can vote online until 12 May 2026. The ceremony will be live streamed via the Europa Nostra website.
Recognised as Europe's most prestigious heritage accolades, the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards honour exemplary achievements in conservation, research, education and awareness each year. In 2026, the OPW's project was chosen from 261 eligible applications submitted by organisations and individuals across 40 European countries.
Delivery of the OPW initiative brought together in-house expertise and external partners, including Trinomics, Shaffrey Architects, Passivate Building Energy Consulting, ARUP Engineering and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). The project received EU co-funding via the Structural Reform Support Technical Support Instrument (TSI).
The OPW provides accommodation for Government services and manages much of the State's property portfolio. It cares for 780 heritage sites—encompassing national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings—and is the Government's principal engineering agency for Flood Risk Management and Estate Portfolio Management.
