Dún Laoghaire is winner of Great Town 2022 - Urbanism Awards

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council are proud to receive the Great Town 2022 award for Dún Laoghaire by the Academy of Urbanism. The Great Places Urbanism Awards are the Academy’s primary platform for recognising and celebrating outstanding examples of good urbanism across the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Receiving the award, An Cathaoirleach Councillor Mary Hanafin said:

Dún Laoghaire is delighted to be awarded best large town / small city by the Academy. The judges were particularly impressed with the energy in the town, the political and executive leadership, the inclusive nature of voluntary and business groups and the willingness to incorporate active travel, landmark buildings like the Lexicon and our natural environment into a vibrant town. Nominees for awards included Inverness, Trieste, and Malaga, so this award for Dún Laoghaire is very significant for the whole community

Dún Laoghaire was chosen by the Urbanism Awards for the Coastal Mobility Cycle Route and Village public realm project; connecting urban villages, bathing places, walks and parks along the coast. Please read the full report here on why Dún Laoghaire was chosen as the winner.

Frank Curran, Chief Executive said:

Dún Laoghaire winning the Academy of Urbanism, Great Town award 2022 is recognition of what has been achieved by the Council working closely with local communities, businesses, and other partners. The Academy’s assessment referenced the creation of lively urban spaces that people value and use and the flourishing shopping street with a broad range of retail and services. I am delighted Dún Laoghaire received this award”

dlr also received a framed copy of a ‘great place’ poem that captures the essence of Dún Laoghaire, written and read by the Academy’s Poet-in-Residence Ian McMillan. You can read the poem below.