DKiT.ie is a Best New Website finalist in the 2026 National Digital Awards

Annertech is thrilled to announce that the new Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) website has been named a finalist in the New Website of the Year category at the National Digital Awards.

The awards, hosted by Digital Business Ireland, are a prestigious benchmark for digital excellence. This year’s competition was particularly stiff, with the organisers receiving hundreds of applications from leading innovators nationwide.

In their announcement, Digital Business Ireland remarked: "The exceptional standard of entries made the selection process incredibly challenging for our esteemed judging panel. Your advancement to the final round is a testament to your outstanding work and innovation in the digital sphere."

A unified digital hub for DkIT

The recognition follows a major digital transformation that saw Annertech consolidate a fragmented web estate that was previously scattered across MODX, legacy Drupal and WordPress into a single, unified and highly accessible platform.

The goal was to create a digital front door that was as welcoming as it was functional. By focusing on user centred design and a robust information architecture, we ensured that, whether a user is a prospective student, a researcher or a staff member, their journey is seamless.

“Being named a finalist is a wonderful validation of the hard work and collaboration that went into this project,” says Stella Power, managing director of Annertech. 

“DkIT.ie wasn't just about a fresh coat of paint; it was about solving complex structural challenges to create a truly inclusive, accessible and user-friendly hub for the entire campus community.”

Innovation, performance and accessibility

The judges evaluated entries based on strict criteria, including design aesthetics, innovation and technical excellence. Our work on dkit.ie stood out for several reasons:

• Design & UX: We achieved a fresh, modern aesthetic while maintaining strict brand consistency, even weaving the "D" from the institute's logo into navigation tiles and image holders. This helped drive a 43% increase in user engagement.
• Performance: The site is highly optimised, scoring a Grade A (97%) on GTmetrix. It performs brilliantly across devices, catering to a near even split of mobile and desktop users.
• Innovation: We developed a custom subsite solution for research groups, allowing for departmental flexibility while maintaining central brand governance – a unique feature in higher education digital estates.
• Compliance: By centralising 13,000 pages, we provided a secure environment with single sign on (SSO) capabilities, built with modern accessibility (WCAG) and GDPR standards at its core.

“Our goal is always to build digital experiences that make life easier for the end user,” adds Stella. 

“To see that innovation recognised is a proud moment for the Annertech and DkIT teams. It proves that when you put the user at the heart of the design process, the results speak for themselves.”

The big night

The winners will be announced at the National Digital Awards ceremony on Thursday 19 February at Pitch Dublin, 60-63 Dawson Street. 

It promises to be a fantastic evening, bringing together the leading businesses, innovators and organisations that are shaping Ireland’s digital landscape.

We are looking forward to the event and the opportunity to celebrate the best of Irish digital talent alongside our fellow finalists. 

Regardless of the final result, being shortlisted in such a competitive field is a testament to the dedication of both the DkIT and Annertech teams in creating a platform that truly serves its community.