Irish Landscape Institute Design Awards 2026


The Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) Design Awards give recognition to exemplary landscape projects by Irish Landscape Institute (ILI) members in the Republic and Landscape Institute members from Northern Ireland (LINI) across a range of categories.

Since its founding in 1992, the ILI has been committed to raising the standards of landscape design in Ireland and to pioneering new approaches to environmental planning. The ILI is the Professional Body representing Landscape Architects and Parks Professionals throughout Ireland. It is the National Representative Body for Ireland in the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)Europe.

The outright/overall winners of the Landscape Design Awards 2026 [plus Highly Commended and commended winners] in each category were announced on Thursday 5th November 2026 at an awards ceremony at Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street, Dublin.   President of the Irish Landscape Institute, Bart O’Doherty, speaking at the awards ceremony said, “I’m delighted that our sector has ‘blossomed’ in recent years as we’re all much more aware of the importance of Green Spaces in which to enjoy our leisure time. Since its establishment, the ILI has raised standards of landscape design in Ireland and is still committed to pioneering new approaches to environmental planning and design. We are delighted that we have an internationally recognised judging panel to help select from world leading projects. We welcome the support of our sponsors, including our principal Germinal Amenity with support from Bord Bia, Hartecast Street Furniture, Maylim, O’Brien Landscaping, Stonepave, SAP Landscapes, Cairn Homes, Kent Stainless, Kilsaran, Landscape Depot, Nangle and Neisen and to Dublin City Council.”

The winner of the OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE as chosen by the ILI Council is TERENCE MURRAY, ex-President of the Irish Landscape Institute and the ILI Internship Convenor.

Bart O’Doherty, commenting on the award said, “Terry has been instrumental in improving our internship programme with the UCD Landscape Department. He has diligently visited ALL the students on their placements and liaised with all the placement providers, travelling the length and breadth of the country. In addition, his knowledge and expertise are vital in the transfer of knowledge to younger landscape architects.”

 “The standard of all awards were exceptionally high and demonstrated both biodiversity, a sense of place, technical excellence and an appreciation of the importance of landscape.”

Graham Parker, Germinal Amenity, a leading Irish and UK supplier of professional grass seed, wildflower seed and fertilisers – serving landscaping, sports, turf, golf and domestic sectors, speaking at the awards said, “It is important that we choose to unite and strengthen bonds supporting all strands of our industry. Germinal Amenity is privileged to headline sponsor the Institúid Tirdhreacha Na hÉireann (Irish Landscape Institute) helping the Institute continue to develop the landscape profession in Ireland.”
 

The judges for the awards, which were convened by Peter O’Toole, ex President of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland, include:-

  • Catherine Adams – BSc (Hons) MPhil CMLI (Ex Regional Director, AECOM)
  • Marina Cervera – Universidad de Barcelona and IFLA World President-Elect
  • Karen Foley – Emeritus Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture,UCD
  • Ursula Forczek-Brataniec – Institute of Landscape Architecture, Cracow University of Technology.  Previous Secretary General of IFLA Europe.
  • Peter Nickels – Peter Nickels Architects
  • Emily Smyth – Ex Chair Landscape Institute NI Branch
  • Eimear Tynan – Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, UiT, the Arctic University of Norway


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Full list of winners follows:- 

The Categories for the ILI Design Awards 2026

Category A: Built Projects on the island of Ireland  

ACTIVE TRAVEL ROUTES sponsored by STONEPAVE

  • Commended GRAND CANAL TO LUCAN URBAN GREENWAY PHASE 1A: GRAND CANAL TO N4 by South Dublin County Council
  • Highly Commended MARINA PROMENADE by OKRA
  • Winner THE CLONTARF TO CITY CENTRE ACTIVE TRAVEL SCHEME by CSR Land Planning & Design (Cunnane Stratton Reynolds)


COMMERCIAL /EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPES which is divided into TWO sections –Medium / Large

MEDIUM SIZED COMMERCIAL /EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPES category sponsored by MAYLIM

  • Commended SECRET GARDEN IRISH LIFE CENTRE DUBLIN 1 by Bernard Seymour Landscape Architects
  • Highly Commended POLARIS DCU by Stephen Diamond Landscape Architects
  • WINNER TRINITY PORTAL by DFLA 

LARGE COMMERCIAL /EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPES category sponsored by O’BRIENS LANDSCAPES

  • Commended KILSARAN HEAD OFFICE by Murphy + Sheanon
  • Highly Commended CENTRAL QUAD by Stephen Diamond Landscape Architects
  • Winner BALDONNELL BUSINESS PARK by CSR Land Planning & Design (Cunnane Stratton Reynolds)

RECREATION / PLAYSPACE sponsored by GERMINAL AMENITY

  • Commended Fernhill Park and Gardens Play Space by Ciaran Farren, Hawthorn Heights Ltd
  • Highly Commended Fernhill Park & Gardens Play Space by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
  • Winner RATHFARNHAM CASTLE PARK: CREATING A CONNECTED PLAY LANDSCAPE by South Dublin County Council

PUBLIC PARKLAND sponsored by NANGLE & NEISEN

  • Commended JOBSTOWN PARK REGENERATION: TRANSFORMING 29 ACRES, CONNECTING 22,000 PEOPLE by South Dublin County Council
  • Highly Commended BLACKROCK PARK by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
  • Winner MARINA PARK: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN RIVER AND CITY by OKRA


RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES  – because of the high number of entries they have been subdivided into SMALL / MEDIUM /LARGE

SMALL RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES – sponsored byTHE LANDSCAPE DEPOT

  • Commended GARDEN AT END OF TERRACE Realise Landscape Architects Ltd
  • Highly Commended EBLANA AVENUE Stephen Diamond Landscape Architects
  • Winner OLIVE TREE HOUSE Realise Landscape Architects Ltd

MEDIUM RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES sponsored by KILSARAN

  • Commended BETHANY HOUSE   CSR Land Planning & Design (Cunnane Stratton Reynolds)
  • Highly Commended FRASCATI RESIDENTIAL PHASE 1 Stephen Diamond Landscape Architects
  • Winner LIME STREET

LARGE RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES sponsored by O’BRIEN LANDSCAPING

  • Commended ROBINRATH, NAVAN by CSR Land Planning & Design (Cunnane Stratton Reynolds)
  • Highly Commended CLAREMONT, HOWTH by The Paul Hogarth Company
  • Winner COOPER SQUARE, SEVEN MILLS, CLONBURRIS by murray & associates


HEALTHCARE SETTING sponsored by HARTECAST STREET FURNITURE

  • Highly Commended CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL GARDEN - ROSCOMMON HOSPICE by TBLA Limited
  • Winner ORCHARDVILLE DEMENTIA GARDEN by McIlwaine Landscape Architects (mla)


HABITAT RESTORATION sponsored by BORD BIA

  • Winner NATURE REGENERATION, CO. CORK by Murphy + Sheanon


PLANTING DESIGN sponsored by BORD BIA BLOOM

  • Commended BORD BIA BLOOM SHOW GARDEN 2026 by Áit Urbanism + Landscape Ltd
  • Highly Commended FITZWILLIAM SQUARE GARDEN by Bernard Seymour Landscape Architects
  • Winner TOLKA ESTUARY GREENWAY by Austen Landscape Architects


PUBLIC REALM /CIVIC SPACES sponsored by HARTECAST STREET FURNITURE

  • Commended QUEEN MAEVE SQUARE by BDP
  • Highly Commended CYCLE TO THE SEA - CLIMATE ACTION PILOT ON RURAL ROAD by Elements of Action
  • Winner FRASCATI PLAZA by  Stephen Diamond Landscape Architects   


NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS sponsored by SAP LANDSCAPES

  • Commended WHITESTOWN WAY by Bernard Seymour Landscape Architects
  • Highly Commended WHITEFRIARS GREENING - PHASE 01 by Áit Urbanism + Landscape Ltd
  • Winner MARINA PARK: A SPONGE LANDSCAPE FOR THE DOCKLANDS by OKRA


Category B – Landscape Technical & Theory


LANDSCAPE PLANNING & ASSESSMENT sponsored by O’BRIEN LANDSCAPING

  • Commended NUA BIOENERGY, LISHEEN by Purser
  • Highly Commended Corbally Canal and Liffey Corridor Feasibility Studies by JBA Consulting
  • Winner LIFFEY VALLEY FEASIBILITY STUDIES by JBA Consulting

LANDSCAPE THEORY, POLICY & MANAGEMENT sponsored by STONEPAVE

  • Winner REGREENERATION by ARUP 

DIANE NICKELS MEMORIAL AWARD – HAND DRAWING sponsored by MAYLIM

  • Commended TRAVELOGUE AND SKETCHES OF PARIS by Peter Hutchinson  
  • Highly Commended LDA by The Paul Hogarth Company
  • Winner CROSSMOLINA - TOWN VISION by TBLA Limited

MASTER PLANNING & URBAN DESIGN sponsored by SAP LANDSCAPES

  • Commended CASTLEISLAND MASTERPLAN by ARUP
  • Highly Commended TURAS NA BÁISTÍ (JOURNEY OF THE RAIN) by Eirza
  • Winner M1 BUSINESS PARK MASTERPLAN by Stephen Diamond Landscape Architects

POLICIES & INITIATIVES WHICH SUPPORT CLIMATE RESILIENCE sponsored by GERMINAL AMENITY

  • Commended CASTLE LESLIE: A LIVING BREATHING ESTATE The Paul Hogarth Company
  • Highly Commended OFFALY PEATLAND & NATURE CORRIDORS CSR Land Planning & Design (Cunnane Stratton Reynolds)
  • Winner SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL POLLINATOR ACTION PLAN 2026-2030 FROM POLICY TO POLLINATOR RECOVERY - A CLIMATE-RESILIENT LANDSCAPE FOR SOUTH DUBLIN South Dublin County Council 

MURRAY INTERNSHIP TROPHY and CASH PRIZE provided by MURRAY & ASSOCIATES 
A New award for 2026 is the student internship award – awarded to the best internship as decided by the ILI Internship Convenor, Terry Murray, who has diligently visited ALL the students on their placements and liaised with all the placement providers. The winner receives the inaugural MURRAY INTERNSHIP TROPHY, which will be displayed at UCD, plus €250 from Murray & Associates.

  • Winner of the inaugural Internship Trophy and cash prize is RENEE CROTTY, UCD Landscape Architecture Student

ACADEMIC – STUDENT AWARD sponsored by CAIRN HOMES

  • Winner AN COSTA ILCHISEALACH - "THE MULTI-LAYERED COAST" Daniel Bathe, UCD Landscape Architecture Student

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE as chosen by the ILI Council, sponsored by GERMINAL AMENITY

  • Winner TERENCE MURRAY, ex President of the Irish Landscape Institute and ILI Internship Convenor

PRESIDENT’S AWARD sponsored and manufactured by KENT STAINLESS

This award is chosen as overall winner by the President of the Irish Landscape Institute.

  • Winner MARINA PARK: A SPONGE LANDSCAPE FOR THE DOCKLANDS by OKRA

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For further information contact:
Anne Doherty
Email:  [email protected]
Phone: 086 417 0919