Galway City Council is delighted to announce that applications for the 2026 Annual Mayor’s Awards will open on Monday, 16 February 2026. This year’s ceremony will take place on Wednesday 29 April, celebrating another exceptional year of volunteering across the city. The awards honour the outstanding contributions of individuals, community organisations, and voluntary groups who make a remarkable impact in Galway City.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Mike Cubbard said, “As Mayor, I encourage everyone to nominate those individuals, communities and voluntary groups who have gone above and beyond in their volunteer work. Volunteers are the heart of our city, and their invaluable contributions leave a lasting effect on the lives of many.”
“If there is an individual or group that deserves to be recognised for their efforts, please nominate them. On this, the twenty third year of the Awards, I look forward to acknowledging these extraordinary individuals, communities, and voluntary groups whose dedication and passion inspire us all.”
Galway City Council would like all volunteers to know their contribution is very much appreciated and that volunteering is celebrated for its inherent value to our society, helping to develop vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities.
Galway City Council invites nominations for individuals or groups who are involved in voluntary activity taking place in the city in one of the following categories:
- Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Cúrsaí Gaeilge Award
- Residents and Local Areas Award
- Community Service and Social Inclusion Award
- Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award
- Environmental Sustainability Award
- Sports Volunteer of the Year Award
- Children and Youth Support Award
- Young Volunteer of the Year Award
-
The Galway City Council Volunteer of the Year Award
If you would like to nominate an individual or group for any of these award categories, you can complete an online nomination form at https://forms.office.com/e/ZKz2J4E539.
Nomination forms will also be available from City Hall and the City Libraries.
The closing date for online nominations is 4pm on Friday 6 March 2026.
Winners will receive a commemorative gift and a bursary of €500 to use towards their volunteering. All nominees will be presented with an individually designed Mayoral Certificate at the Awards Ceremony which will be held on Wednesday 29 April 2026 in the Galmont Hotel, Lough Atalia Road, Galway.
For further information on the Mayor’s Awards please email MayorsAwards@GalwayCity.ie or telephone 091 536 358 / 091 536 311.