Longford basks in glory as it triumphs on the double at prestigious awards ceremony

Longford County Council has claimed two of the most prestigious prizes at the 2026 LAMA All-Ireland Community & Council Awards, held at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. 

The Council won the Best Inclusive Community Wellbeing Initiative Award for its A.B.I.L.I.T.Y Coaching Programme, and shared the National Impact Award with Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils for the Midlands STEM education initiative.

This year’s ceremony marked a landmark occasion – the 20th anniversary of the Awards, 40 years of the LAMA Executive, and a century of principal sponsor IPB Insurance. Broadcaster Marty Whelan served as Master of Ceremony. 

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh, said, “Winning two national awards on the same night sends a clear message about what Longford is capable of. These awards are recognition of patient, persistent work by people who refused to let others be left behind. The coaches who came through the A.B.I.L.I.T.Y programme, and the students in our schools now building skills in robotics and coding, are proof that inclusion and ambition are at the core of our work in Longford County Council.”

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon, said, “These awards belong to the people who made both programmes happen – Longford Sports Partnership, the sports officers, the teachers, the STEM coordinators, our IT team, the community partners, and above all, the participants themselves. Local government works best when it acts as an engine for opportunity, and that is exactly what we see here. To be recognised alongside three other midland councils for the STEM award also shows what is possible when local authorities pool their energy and expertise.”

Best Inclusive Community Wellbeing Initiative 

The A.B.I.L.I.T.Y Coaching Programme was developed and delivered by Longford Sports Partnership, with funding from Sport Ireland’s Dormant Accounts Fund. The programme gave 69 adults with additional needs and/or from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to earn formal coaching qualifications.

Also read: Siobhán Cronogue of Longford PPN shares her insight on International Women's Day

Delivered in partnership with Longford GAA, Handball Ireland, Athletics Ireland, Volleyball Ireland, and Orienteering Ireland, participants completed not just their core coaching qualifications but also Safeguarding Level 1, Disability Inclusion Training with Active Disability Ireland, and Basic First Aid. Several graduates have since taken up active coaching roles in inclusive clubs, GAA clubs, and within their own communities and services.

Caption: Longford County Council has claimed two of the most prestigious prizes at the 2026 LAMAAll-Ireland Community & Council Awards, held at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre

National Impact Award

The National Impact Award recognised the Midlands STEM programme – a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics initiative that reaches thousands of students across Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath each year. Funded under the EU Just Transition Fund, the Midlands is the first region in Ireland to have dedicated STEM Engagement Officers working at county level through local authorities.

More than 25 distinct STEM programmes now run in schools across the region. Flagship projects include VEX Robotics, STEM Passport for Inclusion, DreamBig, Microsoft Dreamspace, Ericsson INFUSE, Code4Fun, First Lego League, and the Early Pathways Second Level programme.

Also read: Longford has ‘so much potential’ but investment ‘badly needed’, says Tánaiste

Longford County Council led the development of the STEM Passport for Inclusion, open to Transition Year students. The programme offers participants a pathway to a Level 6 qualification and 50 bonus CAO points on STEM courses at Maynooth University, TUS, and MTU. Originally focused on girls and DEIS schools, it is now expanding to include boys and further schools across the Midlands.

Caption: Seanie Morris STEM Engagement Officer, Laois County Council, Siobhan Grealy STEM Engagement Officer and Christine Collins Digital / Broadband Officer Longford County Council, Antoinette Brennan Digital / Broadband Officer Laois County Council, Kelley Keogh STEM Engagement Officer, Westmeath County Council, Ray Bell Digital / Broadband Officer and Dean Hodge STEM Engagement Officer with Offaly County Council celebrate the National Impact Award – Midlands Ireland: Driving STEM in the Midlands at the recent LAMA awards.