Image: Keith Wiseman: Representatives pictured at the 2026 National Age Friendly Awards after Greenhills Grange in Drogheda won the Age Friendly Housing Award
Greenhills Grange, Drogheda has won the Age-Friendly Housing Award at the 2026 National Age-Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards.
The development was recognised for its approach to accessible and adaptable housing designed to help older people live independently within their own community.
Greenhills Grange includes homes designed to respond to changing needs as residents grow older, alongside supported accommodation, public space and links to local services and transport.
The award winners were announced at the tenth annual National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards in Limerick on Thursday night.
The ceremony was organised by Age Friendly Ireland, which works with Ireland’s 31 local authorities to support the development of age friendly communities.
Housing designed around changing needs
Greenhills Grange was selected as the winner in the Age Friendly Housing category, with judges highlighting the way the development supports independence while keeping residents connected to their community.
Pat Dowling, Chair of the Age Friendly Awards Selection Panel, said:
“Greenhills Grange stood out as an excellent example of housing designed around how people’s needs can change as they age. Its accessible, adaptable homes and connections to community supports demonstrate how thoughtful planning can enable older people to remain independent and age well within their own community.”
The award was one of ten category awards presented at the ceremony, which was hosted by Limerick City and County Council at the Limerick Strand Hotel and presented by RTÉ’s Marty Whelan.
The 2026 awards were also recognised as an EU Associated Presidency event, reflecting themes and priorities linked to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
‘Practical action’ in local communities
Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of Age Friendly Ireland, said the awards recognise projects which respond directly to the everyday needs of older people.
“These Awards demonstrate what Age Friendly action looks like in practice. The winning projects have listened to older people, identified what can improve everyday life and turned that insight into practical action.
“By recognising these initiatives nationally, we want to celebrate their impact while encouraging other communities and organisations to learn from them, adapt them and build on what works.”
Kieran Kehoe, Chief Executive of Meath County Council and Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service, said the projects show how age friendly principles are being put into practice across the country.
“These Awards demonstrate how Age Friendly principles are being translated into practical action in communities across the country. What makes these projects particularly valuable is that they respond to real needs identified locally.
“By recognising and sharing what works, we can help successful ideas travel beyond the communities where they began and contribute to wider learning both nationally and across Europe.”
Further information on the awards and winning projects is available through Age Friendly Ireland.
