Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland

The search for Ireland’s favourite building or public space begins today with the launch of the 2026 RIAI Public Choice Awards. 44 projects have been shortlisted for this year's award, which features projects from 12 counties as well as six international projects by Irish architects. The public has until 5pm on the 15 June to cast their vote for this year’s winner. The Public Choice Award is unique in that it is the only architectural award in the country decided by public vote.

Designing with daylight is VELUX's long-standing expertise and there are several reasons to integrate rooflights: Rooflights improve comfort, performance and sustainability: Daylight and fresh air are no longer “nice-to-haves” in architecture — they are fundamental drivers of building performance, occupant wellbeing and long‑term sustainability.

The RIAI was delighted to welcome new Members and Fellows at the Presentation of RIAI Membership Certificates, which took place on Wednesday, 21 May 2026, in the Pepper Canister Church, Dublin. The ceremony celebrated Members admitted to the RIAI during the Membership Activation Period from May 2025 to May 2026. This year’s included 204 Architects, 12 Architectural Technologists and 114 Architectural Graduates.

The RIAI, in conjunction with Paddy MacNeill and Cathal Mooney, will present the RIAI Project Supervisor Design Process Programme CPD in a live online training format over two full days, on 17 September and 24 September from 9.00am-4:30pm. Members are required to attend both course dates listed above in order to be eligible to undertake the examination.

RIAI AGM Dublin 2 6.00pm - 7.00pm Free RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 | Online The RIAI Annual General Meeting will be held at the RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, on Monday, 8 June 2026, at 18:00 at 6pm. If you are unable to attend the AGM but would like to nominate a member to speak and/or vote on your behalf, you can do so by completing and returning a signed proxy form.

On 6 May, the RIAI welcomed members of Oslo City Council’s Standing Committee on Urban Development, Byutviklingsutvalget, for a morning of knowledge exchange, presentations, and networking, with an introduction by RIAI President Fionnuala May. Topics discussed at the RIAI included urban design, public and housing projects, and long-term city planning.

President of Ireland Catherine Connolly, on 7 May 2026, officially opened the Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann and the Irish Heritage Trust / Iontaobhas Oidhreachta na héireann, a conservation-led project by McCullough Mulvin Architects. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage of Ireland, James Browne TD, also attended the event.

Applications for the RIAI Professional Practice Examination 2027 programme will open on 1 October 2026. The programme will run from February 2027 to October 2027, and successful candidates will be eligible for admission to the RIAI Register of Architects. The admission criteria for the programme are: RIAI Architectural Graduate Membership (this ensures that the applicant has a prescribed or equivalent qualification in Architecture).

The RIAI, in conjunction with Cathal Mooney, present the RIAI Safety by Design CPD in a live online-training format. This intensive safety course, worth 4 Structured CPD points, is designed by architects for architects. The course comprises three-hour online training session via Zoom and one hour of post-reading. Speaker Presented by Cathal Mooney, MIOSH, experienced Health and Safety professional, this CPD combines live presentations with worked examples and group discussion.

This CPD Course will be recorded for future delivery via Digital Chalk. The RIAI present a CPD talk by Richard McLoughlin, focusing on the adaptation of a derelict convent building into 10 apartments within a wider development of 52 units for Sophia Housing Association.