Two pioneering housing projects in Galway city and county were among the big prize winners at the Irish Council for Social Housing Community Housing Awards last week.

Tobar Mhuire in Ahascragh topped the ‘Building Community’ category, while Sómas in Galway city was announced as the Public Choice award winner.

The Tobar Mhuire project, managed by Galway County Council, saw the transformation of a dated residential area into a clean, modern housing scheme which the judges said reflected a deep understanding of local needs and heritage.

From a sustainability perspective, the use of low-maintenance materials and thoughtful planting reduces upkeep and environmental impact, ensuring long-term viability.

The visual contrast between the traditional, aging structures and the fresh, contemporary homes underscores the project’s success in delivering a high-quality, resident-focused regeneration

Soìmas is a development of ten one-bedroom apartments specifically designed for older people and people with reduced mobility, developed on a formerly derelict site in the Newcastle area of Galway city.

Galway Simon undertook this development in response to the number of older people presenting to homeless services and the shortage of one-bed homes in Galway City, where 72% of the social housing waiting list is made up of single person households.

This age friendly development is designed to accommodate people across the life cycle. All of the apartments are A-rated and are fully accessible for people with compromised mobility and wheelchair users.

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the awards, held in Cavan, are a platform to show the innovation and sustainability in public housing projects supported by approved housing bodies (AHBs), local authorities and the Land Development Agency in communities all over Ireland.

Pictured: Tobar Mhuire in Ahascragh, winner in the Building Community category at the ICSH Community Housing Awards 2025.