Mid Ulster District Council Website

Mid Ulster District Council Arts, Culture and Community Awards 2026 aim to recognise groups and individuals who make a valuable contribution to community life. Winners wil be celebrated at out awards ceremony taking place on Thursday 21 May 2026 at the Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown.

  The 2026 finalists are:

  Arts Person of the Year
   Andrew Boyd
   Cathair Brady 
   Molly Smith 
   Samuel Cuddy 
   Diarmuid de Brún

  Young Arts Person of the Year
   Alice Mackle
   Lucy Hawe 
   Erin Muldoon McCloskey     
   Niamh Fox

  Arts Group of the Year
    Dungannon Area All Stars
    Coiste Forbartha Charn Tóchair / Carntogher Community Association
    Stewartstown Orange Ladies Choir
    Ard Bó Ceol Uirlise Group
    Dungannon Choral Society

  Youth Champion Award
    Pomeroy District Junior Orange Lodge No. 284
    Sarah Martin 
    Coalisland Training Services
    Shane McDonald 

  Age Friendly Award
    Lissan Over 60's
    Coalisland Evergreen Club
    Coalisland Community Foodbank and Hub
    Kildress Wolfe Tones Friday Social
    Mid Ulster Agewell

  Equality & Good Relations Award
    Everyone Matters SEN Group
    Holy Trinity Primary School Cookstown
    First  Steps Womens Centre Dungannon
    St Patricks Primary School, Dungannon

  Community Eco Award
    Maghera Primary School Eco Council
    SWLNRIA (South West Lough Neagh Rivers & Islands Association)
    33rd Derry Ballinascreen Scouts.
    Donaghmore Horticultural Community
    Eileen Coleman

  Health & Well-Being Award
     Patchwork People
     Country Roads Women's Group
     Friends2Talk
     Mid Ulster Wellness Association 

  Community Safety Award
    First Responders Kildress
    New Dawn Health and Wellbeing
    CRAIC Theatre in partnership with Wee Yarn Productions,
    (Cahal and Aoibh Clarke) and Actor Ronan Johnson.

   Community Champion Award
     Anita Hurley 
     Trevor Lockhart 
     Sperrin Choir
     Emma- Jane Forde

   Volunteer of the Year
    Patrick (PJ) McQuillan
    Amy Toner
    Bernie Lagan
    Karen Kearney
    Michael Murray

   Lifetime Achievement Award
    Michael O'Neill 
    Fred Og Whitehouse
    Liam Ó Flannagáin
    Michael Carolan

Congratulations to all our finalists. 

Winners will be announced at our awards ceremony on Thursday 21st May 2026 in the Burnavon Theatre at 7pm.

Nominations closed at 12 noon on Wednesday 29 April 2026

Please read the guidance notes prior to submitting your online nomination. 

The awards are designed to give you the opportunity to recognise and thank local people and groups of outstanding merit for making a difference to the lives of others in our Council area. These groups and individuals can be from any walk of life, and any part of the Mid Ulster District. 

Nominating is simple - just complete the online form below:

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
 

All entries must be received by 12 noon on Wednesday 29 April 2026, applications after this date WILL NOT be accepted.

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Return of nominations

If you are unable to submit an online nomination, you can request to submit a hard copy nomination. Hard copy nominations WILL NOT be accepted unless you have obtained prior permission. For more details on the Arts, Culture & Community Awards or to request a hard copy nomination form contact:
 
Courtney Hall 
Project Support Assistant
Email: Courtney.Hall@midulstercouncil.org
Phone: 03000 132 132

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Award Categories

Category	Description
Arts Person of the Year	This award recognises an individual who has undertaken imaginative work in any one of the arts, such as drama, dance, music, literature, the visual arts and crafts including photography, and/or demonstrated good practice in the organisation of arts, projects and events.
Young Arts Person of the Year	This award recognises a young individual (under 18) who has undertaken imaginative work in any one of the arts, such as drama, dance, music, literature, the visual arts and crafts including photography, and/or demonstrated good practice in the organisation of arts, projects and events.
Arts Group of the Year	This award celebrates a group who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in any one of the arts, such as drama, dance, music, literature, the visual arts and crafts including photography, and/or demonstrated good practice in the organisation of arts projects and events.
Youth Champion Award	This award recognises the group which best demonstrates how they are assisting in meeting the needs of young people e.g. running a youth club, lobbying for youth facilities, or helping young people reach their full potential.
Age Friendly Award	This award recognises a group which can best demonstrate how they are assisting in meeting the needs of older people e.g. running an older person’s club, lobbying for facilities, or helping older people resolve local issues.
Equality & Good Relations Award	This award recognises a community led group which displays and encourages Diversity and Integration and promotes equality of opportunity. This group will have led on diversity and integration initiatives and on supporting and engaging our minority or section 75 communities in Mid Ulster.
Community Eco Award	This award recognises a community led group who undertake Eco or environmental initiatives/activities in their local areas that engage a wide number of people, both young and old.
Health & Well-being Award	This award recognises the group which works to promote health and well-being within the Council area e.g. activities organised promoting good mental health, staying active, tackling poverty and social exclusion, healthy eating etc.
Community Safety Award	This award recognises the group or individual who can demonstrate how they are making their community a safer place.
Community Champion	This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to the community, made a significant contribution to public life in Mid Ulster and have shown real dedication in helping local residents.
Volunteer of Year Award	This award recognises an individual who has displayed dedication to others and /or is making a difference to people’s lives.
Lifetime Achievement Award	This award is for an individual who has displayed high levels of voluntary achievement over a significant period of time (minimum 20 years).

Please note the decision of the judging panel is final. The judging panel may (at their discretion) change the category to the most appropriate one e.g. that best fits the nomination. 

For further information please contact:

Courtney Hall 
Project Support Assistant
Email: courtney.hall@midulstercouncil.org
Phone: 03000 132 132