Limerick City and County Council was delighted to receive the prestigious John Connell Local Authority Award 2026 in recognition of its pioneering work to establish the People’s Park as a statutory Quiet Area.
The award was presented at the John Connell Awards at the Palace of Westminster in London in October. Known as the ‘Noise Oscars’, the annual awards recognise achievements in improving the sound environment and reducing the negative impact of unnecessary noise.
The Council was recognised for an innovative three-year project that combined acoustic measurements, active listening and community participation to understand and protect the sound environment of the People’s Park. The project led to Ireland’s first Quiet Area designation based on a rigorous soundscape approach, recognising natural and restorative sounds alongside traditional environmental noise measurements.
The Quiet Area designation was secured following consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency and approval by the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment under the Environmental Noise Regulations 2018. It was also the first such designation outside Dublin.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, said:
“This award is a tremendous recognition for Limerick and for the innovative thinking that went into protecting one of our city’s most cherished public spaces. The People’s Park offers something particularly valuable in the heart of our city, a place where people can pause, enjoy nature and step away from the pressures of a busy urban environment.
“It is especially encouraging to see Limerick leading the way nationally in how we understand and value the soundscape of our public spaces. This recognition demonstrates how thoughtful planning can contribute to a healthier, more liveable and people-focused city.”
Príomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick City and County Council, Cllr Tom Ruddle, said:
“This is a fantastic achievement for Limerick City and County Council and an important recognition of the work being carried out to improve quality of life for our communities.
“The People’s Park has been enjoyed by generations of Limerick people. Protecting the qualities that make it such a special place will help ensure that residents and visitors can continue to enjoy this wonderful amenity into the future.”
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, said:
“This prestigious award recognises Limerick City and County Council’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and the creation of high-quality public spaces.
I want to congratulate all those involved in delivering this project. This achievement demonstrates the value of combining technical expertise, evidence-based planning and community experience to deliver positive outcomes for Limerick.”
Simon Jennings, Executive Scientist, Environment and Climate Action at Limerick City and County Council, said:
“We are delighted that the work undertaken in the People’s Park has received this recognition. Our approach looked beyond noise levels alone and considered the overall soundscape of the park, including the natural and restorative sounds that contribute to people’s experience of the space.
“The project demonstrates the value of combining objective acoustic measurements with active listening and community participation. We hope the approach developed in Limerick can contribute to a greater appreciation and protection of high-quality sound environments in our towns and cities.”
The John Connell Local Authority Award recognises local authority Environment and Planning teams addressing neighbourhood noise and promoting sustainable placemaking, including initiatives demonstrating strong community engagement and innovative approaches to creating healthier sound environments.
The judges highlighted the potential for Limerick’s soundscape framework to be replicated by other local authorities, helping to influence how quiet spaces are recognised and protected across Ireland.
