Annertech projects shortlisted for five 2026 Ireland eGovernment Awards

The shortlist for the Ireland eGovernment Awards 2026 has been announced, and we are absolutely thrilled that Annertech projects have been named finalists five times, across a variety of categories.

These awards celebrate the very best in public sector digital transformation, user-centred service design and digital inclusion across Ireland. To have multiple builds recognised is a huge testament to the hard work of our teams and the forward-thinking vision of our clients.

Here is a closer look at the digital platforms making waves this year and the categories they have been shortlisted for:

1. Galway County Council: Transforming regional digital services

Galway County Council has secured placement in two award tracks for its major website overhaul, reflecting both structural and community engagement success:

• Local Government category
• Digital Communication, Public Engagement and Service Update category

The redesigned Galway.ie platform fundamentally changes how the council interacts with citizens. Moving away from standard, text-dense bureaucratic broadcasts, the new system prioritises clear pathways, accessible service design and low-friction access to critical county resources.

“Local government platforms are the frontline of digital civic life,“ says Annertech’s Director of Technology, Alan Burke. 

“The recognition for Galway County Council shows what can be achieved when a local authority prioritises accessibility and clean user journeys. We are incredibly proud to have partnered with them to make regional public services more intuitive and citizen-centric.“

2. The Adoption Authority of Ireland: Empathy-driven service design

When navigating major life events, people need a digital experience that balances legal compliance with clarity and empathy. 

This was the main aim of the Adoption Authority of Ireland’s new website, which is a finalist in the Life Events and Service Design category. 

This brand-new award category for 2026 highlights projects that restructure complex life events into clear, supportive digital experiences. 

The platform built for the Adoption Authority focuses heavily on universal design principles, ensuring that vital, life-changing documentation, guidance and application pathways are accessible to all citizens without technical or visual barriers.

“The Life Events and Service Design category focuses on technology meeting people at critical, personal moments,” notes Alan. 

“Designing for the Adoption Authority of Ireland meant building an experience that felt highly secure, deeply respectful and completely free of traditional administrative friction. Being named a finalist proves that open-source technology can deliver high security alongside human-centred design.”

3. Online Planning: Digitising local development

The final system making a major impact on this year’s shortlist is Ireland's Planning portal, which has caught the eye of the judges across two tracks:

• Digital Transformation Project of the Year category
• Local Government category

Planning portals are historically notorious for being dense, confusing and difficult for everyday citizens to navigate. This platform turns that paradigm on its head, streamlining how planning applications are submitted, viewed and tracked by the public. 

The Local Government Management Agency's Planning Portal was designed to streamline the application for planning permission across all Local Authorities in Ireland.

True digital transformation isn't just about moving paper forms online – it’s about completely restructuring the process so it works for the end user. By dramatically lowering the technological barrier to entry, it empowers local residents to actively participate in the development of their communities.

What happens next

The winners will be announced at the official ceremony in Dublin on 24 September.

We want to extend a massive congratulations to all of our client teams and partners who worked alongside us to bring these platforms to life. 

Win or lose on the day, seeing these highly accessible, Drupal-driven platforms recognised at a national level is a fantastic win for public sector open-source innovation.