Cathaoirleach's Awards will honour Mayo's unsung heroes
Pictured at the launch of the Cathaoirleach’s Awards 2025 were winners from the Cathaoirleach’s Awards 2024 with Cathaoirleach, Cllr Sean Carey. Back row, from left: Martin Moran (Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club - winners of Environmental Initiatives: Energy), John Gilmore (Moy Davitts GAA - winners of Publication from Community Groups), Finian Burke (Clogher Environmental Group CLG – winners of Contribution to Local Biodiversity and Natural Heritage), James O’Doherty (One Westport – winners of Community Endeavour Award). Front row: Cathal Hennelly (Moy Davitts GAA - winners of Publication from Community Groups), Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean Carey, Aingeal Uí Mhaicín (CLG Coillte Mach – winners of Irish Language Initiative of the Year).
Mayo County Council has opened nominations for the 2025 Cathaoirleach’s Awards.
Do you know a person or a community group who deserve to see their efforts recognised at Mayo County Council’s civic awards?
The Cathaoirleach’s Awards have gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2021 and is now heading into its fifth year of recognising the best community organisations and individuals across the county for their efforts.
Last year’s awards culminated with a gala awards ceremony held last March and attended by over 300 people, where 18 awards were handed out across 17 different categories.
This year’s awards will see 17 different awards open for nomination across 10 different categories. The categories range from publications to local heritage, local biodiversity, tourism, the arts, green communities, diaspora relations and more.
Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Sean Carey, welcomed the opening of the nomination process for the 2025 Cathaoirleach’s Awards saying:
“It’s my great honour to serve as Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council this year and from the moment I was elected to this position, the Cathaoirleach’s Awards is something that I’ve been looking forward to.
“I’ve had the pleasure of attending these awards in the past and have seen first hand the joy of the winners in getting recognition for the hard work they put in day in day out in their communities.
“While not everyone can be winner of these awards, just getting a nomination is something that all the groups take great heart from and these awards are a testament to those incredible individuals and groups that make this county the fantastic place that it is.
Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly added: “The Cathaoirleach’s Awards remain a highlight in Mayo County Council’s annual calendar.
“We take great pride in celebrating the individuals and groups who work tirelessly behind the scenes, dedicating their time and energy to supporting communities across Mayo.
“Whether in our vibrant town centres or the quietest corners of the county’s rural townlands, there are people making a real and lasting impact every day through their voluntary efforts.
“It’s a privilege for us to honour these unsung heroes, and we’re thrilled to see the awards continue to grow year after year. With increasing numbers of nominations, we look forward to recognising even more outstanding contributions this year and ensuring those who give so much receive the appreciation they truly deserve.”
Cathaoirleach’s Awards 2025 Categories: Mayo Publication Awards - two categories (Publications from commercial publishers and Publications from community groups); Contribution to Local Heritage Award; Contribution to Local Biodiversity Award; Contribution to Community Life Awards - two categories (Community Endeavour Award and Community Social Inclusion Project Award); Tourism Awards - two categories (Community Tourism Award and Tourism Event/Festival Award); Contribution to Integration Award; Green Community of the Year; Contribution to the Arts in Mayo Award; Irish Language Initiative of the Year; Diaspora Awards - two categories (Mayo Diaspora Outstanding Contribution and Mayo Diaspora Outstanding Engagement).
For more information and application forms go to www.mayo.ie.
Nominations for the awards will close on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, with the awards ceremony taking place in March 2026.
