Bray residents are being urged to nominate the people, community groups and businesses that make a difference in their areas as the Bray and District Chamber of Commerce launches the 2026 Endeavour Awards.
The awards, regarded as one of the town’s longest-running community recognition programmes, are marking two significant milestones this year: the 70th anniversary of the Bray and District Chamber of Commerce and the 45th anniversary of the Endeavour Awards, which were first established in 1981.
President of Bray Chamber, Jonathan Donnelly, said the awards celebrate the “extraordinary spirit” of Bray and recognise those whose dedication helps make the town a better place to live, work and visit.
“The Endeavour Awards are a testament to the extraordinary spirit that defines our town,” he said. “We are calling on the public to help us identify and celebrate the local heroes, whether in business, sports, volunteering or community service, who continually elevate our area.”
Award categories include Volunteer of the Year, Business of the Year, Civic Award, Community Award, Lifetime Achievement, Person of the Year, Special Recognition Award, Sports Achievement and Young Achiever of the Year.
Members of the public will also have the chance to vote in three customer choice categories: Hospitality Venue of the Year, Retailer of the Year and Service Person of the Year.
Last year’s Endeavour Awards ceremony was a hugely memorable occasion and took place in a packed Mermaid Arts Centre in November, where a wide range of contributions to the Bray community was honoured.
Dylan Kavanagh was named Person of the Year for his work with the Shauna Kavanagh Foundation, while musician and local legend Ken Doyle received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his long career with Bagatelle.
Other winners included Marcia Nicholson, who received the Civic Award for her dedication to Bray Harbour’s swan colony, and the Bray Girl Guides, who were honoured as Volunteer Group of the Year. Mental health advocates Aisling Murphy and Oscar Ó Broin were named Volunteers of the Year.
The chamber is encouraging people to submit nominations for individuals and organisations making a positive impact in the community. Entries can be made online through the Bray Chamber or bray.ie websites, by email, or by post.
Nominations will remain open until Sunday, September 27, with winners set to be honoured at a ceremony in the Mermaid Arts Centre on Thursday, October 22.