Athlone's new greenway bridge makes top ten in Public Choice architectural award

The greenway bridge in Athlone made the top ten in the public choice category of a prestigious architectural awards.

The winner of the 2025 Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Public Choice Award was the Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey by Axo Architects.

Athlone Greenway Bridge by Seán Harrington Architects for Westmeath County Council finished eighth in the public vote, which saw over 14,000 votes cast in total.

The Benedictine Monastery (below) topped the public vote, reflecting its exceptional architectural merit and deep connection to its environment and community.

Nestled on the edge of Pollacappul Lough, beneath the rugged Duchruach Mountain and near the historic Kylemore Abbey, the new monastery harmoniously integrates with its dramatic surroundings. Drawing on monastic traditions, the design evolves from a central garth and cloister, unfolding into a series of brick volumes of varying height and scale. The result is a serene and timeless structure that quietly complements its landscape through sensitive consideration of context, scale, materiality, and visual harmony.

The Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant, finishing in second place, marks a pioneering piece of civic infrastructure that embodies public good. In third place, the new 12 classroom building at Scoil Naomh Bríd Culleens is filled with daylight, delight, colour, and joy, serving the education and wellbeing of 330 children. In fourth place, the redevelopment of the Dún Laoghaire Baths has reimagined and opened up a 400-m stretch of coastline.

This year, the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards received 124 entries, with 48 projects shortlisted for the Public Choice Award

The RIAI Irish Architecture Awards will take place tomorrow evening at the Merrion Cricket Pavilion – itself an award-winning building by TAKA Architects – where the full list of winners across all categories will be announced.

The top 10 Projects in the RIAI Public Choice Award were:

1. Benedictine Monastery at Kylemore Abbey by Axo Architects for The Kylemore Trust

2. Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant by Clancy Moore Architects in collaboration with Ayesa Engineers for Uisce Éireann / Irish Water

3. Scoil Naomh Bríd, Culleens, by SJK Architects for Board of Management, Scoil Naomh Bríd Culleens

4. The Redevelopment of Dún Laoghaire Baths by dlr architects and A2 Architects for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

5. Lough Corrib 471 by Helena McElmeel Architects for Claran, Clydagh, Collinamuck and St. Annin's National School, Corrib Beo and Arts Council

6. Saint Paul’s Monasterevin by de Blacam and Meagher Architects for Department of Education and Youth

7. Dublin Simon Community by O'Connell Mahon Architects for Dublin Simon Community

8. Athlone Greenway Bridge by Seán Harrington Architects for Westmeath County Council

9. Harcourt Terrace Educate Together National School by tún - architecture + design for Department of Education and Youth

10. Tolka Estuary Greenway by Darmody Architecture and TTT (thirtythreetrees) for Dublin Port Company