Westmeath at the LAMA Awards 2026

Celebrating innovation and community spirit at the 2026 LAMA Awards.

Westmeath County Council was delighted to be part of a collaborative project which scooped the National Impact Award on Saturday 28th February.

Midlands Ireland’s winning project “Driving STEM in the Midlands” was a collaboration between: Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils. Congratulations to Kelley Keogh who has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of STEM in Westmeath.

Kinnegad Library was also shortlisted, recognised in the Reimagining Public Places category. This project is part of the wider Kinnegad Regeneration Plan, transforming the heart of the town into a vibrant, people centered space.

The LAMA All Ireland Community & Council Awards 2026 took place on 28 February 2026 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre and were attended by representatives of Westmeath County Council including: Cathaoirleach Aoife Davitt, Clr. Denis Leonard, Clr. Liam McDaniel, Barry Kehoe, Paula Leavy McCarthy, Michelle Dunning and Kelley Keogh.

These awards continue to shine a national spotlight on the powerful collaboration between communities and local authorities. Each year, they honour the initiatives, volunteers, and partnerships that strengthen local life—celebrating everything from sustainability and infrastructure to culture, wellbeing, and community spirit and in 2026, they offered the chance to meet Irish legend Marty Whelan. The awards received over 550 submissions and only 200 were shortlisted.

The LAMA Awards are about more than trophies—they’re about recognising the people and places that make local life better. For Westmeath, the 2026 shortlist is a reminder of:

•The value of investing in communities
•The power of collaboration

Westmeath’s presence at the 2026 LAMA Awards reflects a county moving forward with confidence, creativity, and community at its heart. Whether through new public spaces, local initiatives, or grassroots partnerships, the county continues to show what’s possible when people work together.

Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 05/03/2026