Ardmore has been officially presented with its Ireland’s Greenest Place 2026 award, recognising the work being done by the Waterford village to protect its environment and bring the local community together.

Representatives Henry Murphy and Joe Devitt accepted the award on behalf of Ardmore at a ceremony in Electric Ireland’s offices in Dublin.

The village was named Ireland’s Greenest Place earlier this month as part of an initiative run by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland. It is the second year of the awards, which invite members of the public to nominate places and projects making a positive difference to the environment.

Almost 100 entries were received this year, with judges considering the environmental impact of each project, community involvement and evidence of lasting changes in people’s behaviour.

Speaking after receiving the award, Henry Murphy said the recognition meant a great deal to the people of Ardmore.

He said the achievement reflected the work of the entire community, including local schools, the GAA club, the community hall, Tidy Towns, businesses, farmers and volunteers.

Murphy said the judges had recognised the community spirit behind the work, which he described as something that makes Ardmore special.

He also hopes the award will encourage other communities to take on their own environmental projects, pointing out that progress can begin with a simple idea and a small group of people willing to get involved.

However, he said sustainability also means ensuring that young people and families can continue to live in the area.

Murphy highlighted the need for affordable housing in Ardmore, saying young people should have the opportunity to remain in the village, return home and contribute to its future.

He said a sustainable community needs more than renewable energy and biodiversity, pointing to the importance of local schools, sporting clubs, volunteers and businesses.

He called on local and national decision-makers to support communities such as Ardmore with the housing, infrastructure and investment needed to allow them to thrive.

Murphy thanked everyone who had contributed to the village’s environmental work, saying the award belonged to the people of Ardmore and should be seen as encouragement to continue.

Among those praising the village’s achievement was Kevin O’Sullivan, a judge for Ireland’s Greenest Places and former environment editor of The Irish Times, who said the win was well deserved and reflected the clear verdict of the judging panel.

Fellow judge Eamon Ryan, the former Minister for the Environment, also highlighted the importance of taking a long-term approach to environmental change.

The award recognises Ardmore’s work to date, while the community says it wants to continue building a village where people can live, work and raise their families for generations to come.