Lifestyle Ireland: Ardmore Named Ireland’s Greenest Place

On the Waterford coast, where the sea meets a village of about 500 people, environmental action has become part of everyday life. Ardmore has been named Ireland’s Greenest Place, showing how a close-knit community can turn local pride into lasting climate work.

The award was presented in Dublin on Tuesday, October 6th, during the second year of the Ireland’s Greenest Places competition, run by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland. Ardmore was chosen from around 90 entries, with judges highlighting the village’s long-term approach and strong community involvement.

Why Ardmore is a standout example of Ireland lifestyle in action

Ardmore’s success is not based on one isolated project. Its environmental efforts bring together the Tidy Towns group, the GAA club, local schools and residents, creating a shared sense of responsibility. Henry Murphy, who accepted the overall award alongside Joe Devitt, said the relationships between local organisations were central to the village’s progress.

That collaborative spirit is especially important in a small community. Rather than treating climate action as the responsibility of a single committee, Ardmore has made it part of village life. Education is also central. By involving children and explaining the work being done, local organisers are helping to build a new generation of residents who understand how environmental care can continue over time.

The approach offers a practical lesson for communities across Ireland. Change does not always begin with a large budget or a major national programme. It can start with a small group of volunteers, a grant application, a school project or the restoration of a neglected space.

As former environment minister Eamon Ryan and judge Kevin O’Sullivan noted, meaningful progress requires patience. The important step is beginning and maintaining the work for the long term.

Read more: Follow the latest Ireland lifestyle news and community stories from across the country.

Green projects recognised across Ireland

Ardmore was not the only community recognised at the ceremony. The category winners reflect the variety of ways people are responding to environmental challenges, from river restoration and bog rewetting to community gardening and climate education.

• Treasure the Tolka was named Ireland’s Greenest Community. Founded eight years ago by GP Toby O’Mahony Adams, the group regularly brings volunteers together to clean and depollute the Tolka river.
• Cloughjordan Community Development Association won Ireland’s Greenest Town after securing the support of 52 landowners for the rewetting of Scohaboy Bog.
• Rosewood Estate in Ballincollig, County Cork received the award for Ireland’s Greenest Suburb. Residents transformed an overgrown two-acre field into a wildflower meadow and community amenity.
• Jacinta Barrins was recognised as Ireland’s Net Zero Hero for her work helping older adults understand and take meaningful climate action.

These projects also connect with wider themes in healthy living Ireland and modern community wellbeing. Cleaner waterways, greener public spaces and restored habitats improve the places where people walk, meet neighbours and spend time outdoors. Environmental action can therefore support both ecological health and everyday quality of life.

Treasure the Tolka’s work is a useful example. Its volunteers meet on Saturdays, often in groups of around 20, tackling parts of the river that can be difficult to reach. The project demonstrates how practical action can help people feel connected to a natural space that might otherwise seem inaccessible.

In Cloughjordan, the focus has been on cooperation. Convincing dozens of landowners to support bog rewetting required conversation, trust and a shared understanding of the wider benefits. Rosewood Estate followed a similarly gradual path, turning an ignored field into a place for wildlife and residents.

Explore more: Discover practical Ireland wellness and healthy living ideas for communities, families and households.

What Ireland’s Greenest Places can teach us

The strongest message from this year’s awards is that sustainability works best when it is local, social and realistic. People are more likely to take part when they can see the result nearby and when responsibility is shared among familiar organisations and neighbours.

For households, that might mean planting native flowers, reducing waste, supporting local repair initiatives or joining a community clean-up. For schools and clubs, it could involve outdoor education, biodiversity projects or better use of green spaces. None of these actions needs to be perfect to be worthwhile.

The stories also challenge the idea that climate action is only about technology or large infrastructure. It includes the patient work of maintaining a river, restoring a bog, protecting biodiversity and helping people understand why change matters. This is an important part of Ireland wellbeing: healthy surroundings can support connection, activity and a stronger sense of belonging.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ireland’s Greenest Places competition?

It is an annual competition run by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland, recognising communities, towns, suburbs and individuals involved in environmental action.

Why did Ardmore win Ireland’s Greenest Place?

Ardmore was recognised for its collaborative approach, involvement of local organisations and schools, and commitment to building environmental work over the long term.

How can a local community begin climate action?

A practical starting point is to identify one clear project, bring existing groups together and seek support from residents, schools, clubs and local funding programmes. Consistency matters more than scale at the beginning.

Ardmore’s achievement is a reminder that a small population does not mean a small influence. Through cooperation, education and steady effort, the Waterford village has become a national example of lifestyle Ireland at its most constructive: rooted in place, considerate of the future and powered by people who are willing to begin.