LEISURE AND FITNESS FACILITIES NATIONWIDE WERE RECOGNISED AT THE 2024 IRELAND ACTIVE NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARD AWARDS
For the 23rd consecutive year, a host of leisure and fitness facilities across Ireland were honoured at the annual Ireland Active NQS Awards, which took place at the prestigious Killashee Hotel on November 1st, 2024.
Established in 2001, the National Quality Standard Awards are the premier accolades for Ireland’s Leisure, Health, and Fitness sectors. They recognise facilities that achieve the highest safety, hygiene, customer engagement, and human resources standards. These standards are measured across three levels: Achieved, which signifies meeting the minimum standards; Exceeded, which indicates surpassing the minimum standards; and Outstanding, which represents exceptional performance above and beyond the standards.
NQS RECEPIENTS & OVERALL WINNERS
This year, 100 facilities were celebrated for excellence, with standout performances in leisure, fitness, and hotel categories. TU Dublin Grangegorman clinched the Overall Fitness Award. The Hotel Leisure Award went to Zest Health & Fitness Club at Cavan Crystal Hotel.
Center Parcs Ireland proudly received the Overall Leisure Award, and The Glenview Health & Leisure Centre received the Most Improved Facility Award. West Limerick Sports Complex was recognised as the Best Newcomer.
Complete Leisure took home the Supplier Member of the Year Award in the supplier category. This year also saw the introduction of two new awards: The Sustainability Initiative/Project of the Year, awarded to The Watershed for its significant environmental contributions, and the Community Engagement Initiative of the Year, which Athlone Regional Sports Centre won for its exceptional community service.
Karl Dunne, CEO of Ireland Active, stated:
“This year’s awards ceremony was a tremendous success, with over 350 attendees, marking an increase compared to previous years. I want to thank all the members who will receive the NQS award this evening. They have set a high standard and continue to raise the bar each year. I encourage anyone in the leisure, health, and fitness industry to start their NQS journey in 2025.”
The NQS awards highlight facilities that meet operational standards across 250 quality-based criteria. Sport Ireland endorses them and covers local authority, private, and hotel leisure facilities. Ireland Active supports the sector through standards development, programs, Garda vetting, and training.
