Donegal Gaeltacht community organisation wins top award at annual awards

Údarás na Gaeltachta celebrated the achievements of Gaeltacht communities at the 2025 Gaeltacht Awards in the Connemara Coast Hotel.

CEO Tomás Ó Síocháin and Chairperson Siobhán Ní Ghadhra recognised a wide range of projects contributing to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of Gaeltacht areas.

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The prestigious Pádraig Ó hAoláin Award, the evening's top honor, was presented to Coiste Forbartha Éadan Fhionn Fraoich (Edenfinfra Development Committee), a committee established in 2020 to promote the Irish language and social and cultural events in the area. They have established a cross-border project with the Ballinscreen area in County Derry and have renovated Halla Éadan Fhionn Fraoich as a community meeting hub.

Údarás na Gaeltachta CEO Tomás Ó Síocháin, Siobhán Ní Ghadhra, Chairperson of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Rónán Mac Con Iomaire, Director of Regional, Community & Language Planning Development, Údarás na Gaeltachta, and the Ó hAoláin family presenting the main award of the evening, the Gradam Phádraig Uí Aoláin, to Coiste Forbartha Éadan Fhionn Fraoich at the Connemara Coast Hotel in Connemara

Other Donegal winners saw the youth project award went to Céim Aniar CTR for identifying a gap in the area and providing traditional music classes for young people in Ros Goill.

The Culture, Arts & Heritage Project Award went to Comhar Fhánada agus Ghleann Bhairr CTR for organising the first Féile Cheoil agus Chultúir Fhanada (Fanád Music and Culture Festival) in May - a partnership with Gaeltacht Bheo Fhánada and Comhaltas Fhánada.

The Gaeltacht Awards highlight the creativity and dedication evident among Gaeltacht community organisations. These projects exemplify how communities are addressing challenges and seizing opportunities to improve local life, strengthen the language, and ensure a sustainable future for the Gaeltacht.

Údarás na Gaeltachta CEO Tomás Ó Síocháin stated: "Tonight illustrates the most important trait of all, the philosophy and dedication of the people undertaking this work. Not only are they doing it for themselves and often their families, but for their areas, for the Gaeltacht, and for the community."

Rónán Mac Con Iomaire, Director of Regional, Community and Language Development at Údarás na Gaeltachta, added: "The Gaeltacht Awards recognise the vitally important work being done by community development organisations across the Gaeltacht. The exceptional work being done in Donegal by the winning organisations contributes significantly to the local communities and to the quality of life in their areas of operation."