Dublin City Neighbourhoods Competition

The Dublin City Neighbourhoods Competition is an annual competition for communities, schools and businesses in the city organised by Dublin City Council. The aim of the competition is to bring about a cleaner, greener environment and to make local areas more attractive for the benefit of all city residents and visitors.

The competition recognises the great work that schools, businesses and communities carry out to improve and enhance their neighbourhood, keeping it clean and well presented.

If your community, school, or business have undertaken a project to enhance your local area, you can enter the Dublin City Neighbourhoods Competition under the following categories:

Residential Competition:

1 – 150 Dwellings
151 – 300 Dwellings
300 Dwellings and Over
Flat/Apartment Complex
Senior Citizen Complex
Garden
Open Green Space
Community Environment Initiative
Allotment
Community Garden
Urban Village
Mixed Use Street
1 – 150 Dwellings
151-300 Dwellings
300 Dwellings and Over
Flat/Apartment Complex
Senior Citizen Complex
Garden
Open Green Space
Community Environment Initiative
Allotment
Community Garden (sensory, fairy, age friendly)
Urban Village (a network of established suburban and inner-city centres that function as the heart of their local communities where residents can access daily needs like shops, services, and community facilities)
Mixed Use Street (Integrating residential, commercial, and retail uses to foster vibrant communities

Special Categories:

Individual Contribution
Best New Entry
Endeavour Award (Most Improved Entry)
Dublin Community Clean-up Day
Chief Executive Special Project

Business Competition:

Shop Front
Business Environment Initiative and Sustainability Initiative (Water Conservation/Energy Efficiency)
Waste Management Initiative

Judging Criteria:

Marks will be awarded for the Residential / Special categories Competition under the following criteria:

Voluntary Community effort. (30%)
Landscaping/biodiversity (where relevant). (30%)
Absence of litter/graffiti. (15%)
Overall impression. (25%)

The “Urban Village” and “Mixed Use Street” categories could be a joint effort involving residents and business.

Schools Competition:

Primary and Secondary Schools are invited to enter this competition.

Marks will be awarded under the following judging criteria:

Upkeep of school’s precinct (landscaping/biodiversity/absence of litter and graffiti) (25%)
Waste Management/Recycling Initiatives (25%)
Water Conservation/Energy Efficiency Initiatives (25%)
Special Environmental Projects (25%)

Awards ceremony for Schools competition will be held at a daytime reception in December in the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor (or Deputy Lord Mayor).

How to enter:

Completed entries to be returned by email to the following Area Offices:

North Central Area - [email protected]

Artane, Beaumont, Belmayne, Clongriffin, Clonshaugh, Clontarf, Coolock, Darndale, Donaghmedem Donnycarney Drumcondra Upper, Edenmore, Fairview, Kilbarrack, Killester, Kilmore, Raheny, Marino, Priorswood, Santry, Whitehall

North West Area - [email protected]

Finglas, Ballymun, Glasnevin, Santry

Central Area - [email protected]

Cabra, Broadstone, North Wall, Drumcondra, Ballybough, Phibsboro, East Wall and the North City Centre, Glasnevin, Mountjoy, Ashtown

South Central Area - [email protected]

The Liberties, Kilmainham, Inchicore, Chapelizod, Ballyfermot, Bluebell, Drimnagh, Rialto, Crumlin and Walkinstown

South East Area – [email protected]

Ringsend, Irishtown, South Lotts, Sandymount, Docklands South, City Quay/Pearse Street, Georgian Core area, Ranelagh, Rathmines, Temple Bar, Grafton Quarter and City Centre, Portobello, Donnybrook, Ballsbridge, Merrion, Dartry, Milltown, Harolds Cross, Kimmage, Crumlin, Terenure, Rathgar.

By Post to:

Dublin City Council,
Litter Management Office, Waste Management Services,
68/71 Eblana House, Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8.
D08 E120

All entries must include 4 photographs of their areas, which should give a general impression of the area and any improvements made. Photographs should have name, address, location and contact details for the entrant written on the back.
All entries must include a sketch map, which clearly indicates the area to be judged and the location of any special features. Entries not including a sketch will not be considered.
Completed Entry Forms must be signed by a Representative of the Association / Business / School.
Entry forms to be received no later than 4pm on Friday May 8th 2026