Gaeilge365 Wins National Recognition at Better Public Services Awards 2026

Dublin’s four local authorities recognised for scaling innovation in Irish-language public services 

Gaeilge365 starts with a simple question: what if innovation as Gaeilge was at the core of our public services?

That vision has now been recognised at a national level, with the Gaeilge365 programme, led by Dublin’s four local authorities in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has been named the Best Innovation Project at Scale in Public Services at the Better Public Services Awards 2026. 

Across Dublin, communities are already seeing that innovation in action, as Gaeilge365 turns imaginative ideas into real, year-round opportunities for people to use Irish in their everyday lives. 

Presented by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers TD, at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, the Better Public Services Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and civic impact across the Irish public sector. This year, thirty-six teams were shortlisted across twelve categories. 

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Minister Chambers said, “The winning projects see digital transforming how people engage with the State, data improving decisions and outcomes, and services designed around real user needs. We see innovation not just tested, but scaled and a clear commitment to inclusion and sustainability.” 

Gaeilge365 was recognised for its progressive and creative approach to public service delivery, reimagining how local government connects trí Ghaeilge with opportunities presented by increasingly bi-lingual communities to strengthen the impact of public services. 

Dáithí de Buitléir, Programme Manager of Gaeilge365, said, "Gaeilge365 is the Irish language innovation programme serving all four Dublin local authorities. Our mission is to unlock the full potential of Gaeilge for Dublin while creating and expanding opportunities for people of all Irish-language abilities to use and enjoy Gaeilge in their everyday lives. We are working to create 150,000 Irish-speaking opportunities across Dublin by 2028. 

Over the past year, we have delivered a range of innovative initiatives designed to make Irish more visible, accessible and enjoyable. These include Binsí Comhrá, which tackles urban isolation by connecting people around this shared interest in Gaeilge on public benches; and youth programmes such as Foraois and Snámh le Spraoi, which are building communities of young Irish speakers who use Irish as an everyday language of sport, arts and friendship.” 

By bringing together communities, cultural organisations, schools and local services, we are demonstrating how innovation can strengthen language use, foster social connection and create meaningful opportunities for people to engage with Irish in their daily lives. 

The award recognises not only the achievements of the programme to date but also its potential to shape the future of Irish-language promotion within the public sector, creating real tangible examples of the bi-lingual public services of our future. Building on this success, Gaeilge365 will continue to develop innovative programmes and partnerships that support the growth of Irish-language communities throughout Dublin. 

***See Image Attached: Rónán Mac Lochlainn, Irish Language Development Officer, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, Pauline Mulligan, Chief Executive Officer, Local Government Management Agency, Tríona Ní Mhathúna, Assistant Principal Officer, Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Frank Feighan TD, Minister of State, Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and Daithí de Buitléir, Programme Manager, Gaeilge365.***

ENDS