14 Henrietta St, the celebrated tenement museum in Dublin, has won the European Heritage Award / Europa Nostra Award, largely considered to be Europe's most prestigious awards for heritage.
The museum, which opened to the public in 2018 and is owned and conserved by Dublin City Council, is a lauded social history museum that tells the story of Dublin life by examining one building's Georgian beginnings to its years as a tenement house.
With a legacy that spans over 300 years, the museum delves into the stories of the people who called the building home, collaborating with former residents, the local community, visitors, historians and experts to give a moving depiction of life in a tenement building.
It is especially celebrated for its guided tours, often given by locals with ties to the building and the community.
The European Heritage Awards were launched in 2002 by the European Commission and have been run by Europa Nostra ever since. They turn a spotlight on European projects and initiatives that have enhanced and preserved sites of significant cultural heritate. They also promote the exchange of knowledge throughout Europe and increase public awareness and appreciation for these sites.
Every year up to 30 outstanding heritage achievements are honoured, including up to five Grand Prix winners, each of whom receives a €10,000 prize.
The categories for awards are Conservation & Adaptive Reuse, Research, Education, Training & Skills, Heritage Champions and Citizens' Engagement & Awareness-raising, which 14 Henrietta St won.
In a statement on the museum's website, Chief Executive of Dublin City Council Culture Company, Iseult Dunne, said: "At 14 Henrietta Street, everything we do is shaped by listening to, engaging with and learning from the people who connect with the house and its history.
"We aim to ensure that visitors can explore the history and heritage of Dublin in ways that feel meaningful and accessible. This recognition is a tribute to the commitment of our team and the many people who continue to contribute to and enrich the work of the museum."
As well as this, the museum has been shortlisted for another gong - the Public Choice Award - which is chosen by the public. Other sites nominated this year include Bánffy Castle, Rascruci in Romania, the Gothic Route Initiative in Slovakia, the Hungarian State Opera House, Budapest, and - in another nomination for Ireland - the Improving the Energy Performance of Heritage Properties in State Care Initiative, developed by the OPW.
Voting is open until 12 May, and the winner will be announced at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony on 28 May 2026 at The Municipal Theatre in Nicosia, Cyprus.
