Mayo communities shine in Greenest Places Awards
Representatives of the long-listed communities are pictured at the Mary Robinson Centre last Saturday with politicians, including Minister Dara Calleary, Ballina Chamber of Commerce President Mary Moyles and other guests. Picture: John O'Grady
The Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina hosted a special celebration at the weekend to mark the achievements of six Mayo communities longlisted in Ireland’s Greenest Places Competition 2025.
Organised in partnership with Mayo County Council and held as part of Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Week, the event provided a platform for communities to showcase their sustainability projects and highlight the power of local volunteer action.
The gathering was officially opened by Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary and was hosted by Laura Dixon, Climate Action Coordinator, Mayo County Council.
Each of the six groups had the opportunity to showcase and present the work they had carried out in their community. This sharing of knowledge and experience not only celebrated achievements but also strengthened and connected the meitheal of Mayo’s green communities - fostering new bonds, inspiration, and collaboration across the county.
Mayo tied with Dublin for the highest number of nominations nationwide, with six longlisted communities out of an overall 26 recognised across Ireland. This represents almost one-quarter of the total nominations - a remarkable testament to the strength of Mayo’s community spirit.
The following were longlisted:
• Louisburgh - nominated in the Greenest Village category.
• Ballina - recognised for environmental projects such as the River Brusna cleanup and the Ripple, the Mary Robinson Centre and Cascade initiatives.
• Kiltimagh - highlighted for community-driven sustainability efforts.
• Gaelscoil Raifteirí, Castlebar - celebrated for school-wide green initiatives.
• Inishturk Island - acknowledged for innovative island community sustainability.
• Fahburren Forest, Brackloon - recognised for biodiversity projects and its Climate Masterplan.
From this impressive group, two Mayo communities reached the national shortlist. Ballina was ranked among the top three towns nationally and Louisburgh was ranked among the top three villages.
This year’s competition showcased creative climate action across Ireland, with judges praising initiatives that combined environmental impact, community engagement, and innovation. Louisburgh’s 700-member WhatsApp sharing group, for example, was highlighted as a simple but powerful model of circular economy and resource sharing.
The event also served as a local highlight of SDG Week, Ireland’s annual celebration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By recognising Mayo’s green communities, the celebration demonstrated how local volunteerism, and grassroots projects directly contribute to Ireland’s progress on the global sustainability agenda.
A spokesperson for Mayo County Council commended the nominees, stating: “To have six Mayo communities reach this stage of a national competition - and to celebrate it during SDG Week - shows just how central volunteer-led climate action is to our shared future. These groups are proof that local people can drive real change for sustainability and resilience.”
