The Connemara Dementia Café Initiative has been named winner of the Age Friendly Community Innovation category at the National Age Friendly Recognition and Achievement Awards 2026.
Nominated by Galway County Council, the initiative provides support and social activities for people living with dementia, their families and carers across rural Connemara, with the aim of reducing isolation and building more dementia-friendly communities.
It has established five new monthly Dementia Cafés across the region, building on existing cafés in Roundstone and Letterfrack.
The cafés provide opportunities for people to meet, access information and support, and take part in activities including arts and crafts, gentle exercise and memory book projects.
The initiative is delivered through a partnership involving Forum Connemara, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Galway County Council, Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland, Age Friendly Ireland, the HSE and Cairdeas.
County Galway was also represented in this year’s competition by Tuam Palace Grounds Sensory Garden, which was shortlisted in the Age Friendly Environment category.
Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr Andrew Reddington, said the initiative showed what could be achieved through local partnerships.
“Coordinated by the Healthy Galway Coordinator and delivered in partnership with local organisations, community groups and volunteers, the initiative is an excellent example of collaborative action to improve health and wellbeing. I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and dedication to the project.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said the initiative demonstrated the value of community-based supports for people living with dementia and their families.
“Galway County Council is delighted to see the Connemara Dementia Café Initiative recognised through the Age Friendly Awards. The cafés promote social connection, inclusion, lifelong learning and brain health, while helping to reduce isolation and build more dementia-friendly communities across Connemara.”
The Connemara Dementia Café Initiative is also one of eight Galway County Council-led or supported projects shortlisted for the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards 2026, the highest number of nominations secured by the council since the awards began.
The other shortlisted projects are Park Lodge, the 60+ Climate Drive, the Tuam Palace Grounds Sensory Garden and Active Recreation project, Leenane Community Park, the Ballinasloe Multicultural Midsummer Festival, Tiny Mutiny and Scoil an Phiarsaigh 2025. The award winners will be announced on 26 November 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin.
Michael Owens, Director of Services with responsibility for Corporate Services and Rural, Community and Tourism Development and Integration, said the cafés were helping to bring support closer to home.
“They give people living with dementia, their families and carers an opportunity to meet others, take part in activities and find support in a welcoming environment,” he said.
Adele Rankin, Healthy Galway, Galway County Council, said the initiative demonstrated the importance of community-based support, particularly in rural areas.
She said the cafés helped promote brain health and wellbeing while providing opportunities for social connection that might otherwise be limited by distance or access to services.
Karen Mannion, Chief Executive of Forum Connemara, said the award recognised the difference the cafés were making across Connemara and East Galway.
She said bringing the cafés into local communities was helping people access information and peer support while challenging the stigma associated with memory loss and dementia.
