Monaghan County Council has been shortlisted in three categories at the 2026 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, recognising innovative projects that are delivering real and lasting impacts in housing, climate action, community regeneration, cultural development and strategic communications.
The Council’s nominations are in Climate Change for the Monaghan Area Based Retrofit Initiative (MABRI); Communications for Tackling Dereliction in Monaghan: Croí Cónaithe in Action; and Local Authority Innovation for The Project Children Stories – A Legacy of Peace Lives on in Monaghan
The Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards are among the most prestigious in the sector, recognising best practice, innovation and excellence in local government.
Welcoming the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Aidan Campbell, said:
“These shortlistings are a tremendous endorsement of the innovation, commitment and partnership that underpin so many projects across Monaghan. Each initiative demonstrates how local government can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives, whether through tackling vacancy and dereliction, supporting climate action or preserving important stories of peace and reconciliation for future generations. I would particularly like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Monaghan County Council whose hard work and dedication have been central to the success of all three projects.”
The Monaghan Area Based Retrofit Initiative (MABRI) has been recognised for its pioneering approach to residential decarbonisation. Delivered through a partnership between Monaghan County Council, SSE Airtricity, SEAI and Activ8 Energies, the initiative combines public and private housing upgrades within Monaghan Town’s Decarbonisation Zone. By removing barriers to retrofit uptake through a dedicated One Stop Shop model, MABRI has improved energy performance in more than 50 homes, significantly reducing energy demand and carbon emissions while creating a scalable model for communities nationwide.
The shortlisted Croí Cónaithe in Action project showcases how Monaghan County Council used a dedicated video storytelling campaign to highlight the impact of the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. Featuring real homes and real stories, the campaign demonstrated how vacant and derelict properties are being transformed and returned to use, helping to revitalise communities while increasing awareness and uptake of the scheme.
The Project Children Stories – A Legacy of Peace Lives on in Monaghan nomination recognises Monaghan County Council’s innovative cultural partnership with Project Children, which has brought a unique archive documenting fifty years of peace-building to Monaghan County Museum. The initiative has created a permanent home for the story of a programme that impacted more than 23,000 children from Northern Ireland and was supported by over 16,000 volunteer host families across the United States. Through exhibitions, educational initiatives and public engagement, the project continues to promote peace, understanding and reconciliation for future generations. To explore the upcoming autumn programme of events, visit Project Children – Monaghan County Museum.
Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, Robert Burns, added:
“Having three projects shortlisted across very different categories demonstrates the breadth of work being undertaken by the Council. These nominations reflect our commitment to innovation, sustainability, community development and cultural leadership. We are proud to see these initiatives recognised at national level and wish the project teams every success in the awards.”
The winners of the 2026 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards will be announced later this year.