Europa Nostra Award Ceremony

We were delighted to mark our European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award 2026 at an official presentation ceremony held at the museum during Heritage Week.

The award recognises the museum’s people-first approach, linking the history and architecture of the building with the lives, memories and experiences of the people who lived there.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron was joined by James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, representatives of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, and the Heritage Council, for the ceremony. Paul Dujardin, representing the Europa Nostra jury, presented the museum with a commemorative bronze plaque.

Our museum team - tour guide Sheila Robinson, social historian Donal Fallon and former artist in residence Fiona Harrington, spoke about how we gather and tell stories and how we make a museum.

Commenting on the win, Lord Mayor of Dublin Daryl Barron, said: “Dublin City Council has long held the stewardship of our city's built and cultural heritage as a fundamental responsibility. We recognise that heritage is not a static thing; it requires active engagement, strategic planning, and investment not just in our heritage buildings but in our collective memory. This project is the culmination of decades of that strategic commitment by Dublin City Council. 14 Henrietta Street now means something profound to Dublin. It serves as a bridge between the generations. It is a credit to the Culture Company, the museum staff, and the many experts who meticulously pieced this history back together and who continue to discover and bring its stories to life.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, said: “This museum stands as a beacon of what we can achieve when we protect our shared history. It was a privilege for my department to support the restoration of this building through the Civic Structures Grant Scheme and that of my colleagues in the former Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, via the Centenaries Capital Grant Programme. Seeing this Georgian townhouse revived and repurposed as a space for storytelling and public engagement is a testament to the vision and hard work of everyone involved. As we look to the future, the success found here serves as compelling evidence that continued investment in heritage is essential, not just to preserve structures, but to sustain the vibrant communities and human stories they hold.”

The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards were launched by the European Commission in 2002 and are run by Europa Nostra, with support from the European Union’s Creative Europe programme. In 2026, 14 Henrietta Street was one of 30 winners selected from 261 eligible applications from 40 European countries.