Sligo has won "environmental excellence" awards from An Taisce for the refurbishment of two of its most important historic buildings - Sligo Courthouse and the Town Hall.
The two awards were among 28 presented to local authorities, community groups and individuals at An Taisce's headquarters in Dublin last night, in a new scheme sponsored by O2.
Mr Michael Smith, the trust's chairman, said its purpose was to recognise environmental excellence and "register as an incentive for the unsung" service given by individuals to their environment and community.
The award for the refurbishment of Sligo Courthouse went to the Courts Service and McCullough Mulvin Architects, while the second award was shared by Sligo Borough Council and Gilroy McMahon Architects for the refurbishment of the Town Hall.
Offaly County Council and ABK Architects won a sustainable building award for the new county hall in Tullamore, and Waterford City Council was named as the best local authority with a quality of life focus for its "excellent forward planning".
Dublin City Council was lauded for its "recognition of the importance of architectural heritage, pioneering integrated area plans and engaging the public" in the planning process.
The most effective community group was also Dublin-based - the North Wall Residents' Association.
The award for most appropriate building in the countryside went to the Rossinver Organic Centre, Co Leitrim, and its architect, Mr Colin Bell, while the award for best urban infill development went to Shay Cleary Architects for the new office building beside the Mansion House in Dublin.
In the waste management area, an award for best municipal recycling practice went to Galway City Council for pioneering a shift from landfill to recycling, and the best community recycling initiative award went to the Killucan Recycling Programme in Co Westmeath.
Suitable candidates could not be found for two categories - best development of a village and "most exciting local authority Agenda 21 initiative". But Mr Duncan Stewart and Earth Horizon Productions shared an award for most effective champion of sustainable planning.
The media award was won by Liam MacNally of Mid-West Radio for his balanced coverage of the Corrib gas issue, while Fr Micheal MacGreil and Mr Colman Ó Rathallaigh won the best transportation campaign award for championing the restoration of the western rail corridor.
Another individual award went to Ms Ali Hewson for a vigorous campaign that galvanised more than one million Irish citizens into writing to the British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, about Sellafield. Sellafield won the "award" for major environmental threat.
Other individual award-winners included Senator David Norris, as the most effective champion of building conservation, and Ms Lilli Klint, as the most innovative environmentally-friendly entrepreneur for her range of organic household cleaning products.
Ms Sarah Lawson and Mr David Maher won the best private restoration of an historic building for Ardbraccan House, Co Meath.
