RIAI/DHLGH Joint Housing Conference - Activation through Collaboration, 23 to 24 February, Sligo

Entitled ‘Activation through Collaboration’, the 2026 Housing Conference will have strong emphasis on maximising available resources through a collaborative approach, ensuring a better, faster and more sustainable housing delivery and hear from leading architects in Ireland, the UK and Europe.  

Taking place in at The Model gallery in Sligo on 23 and 24 February 2026, this is a joint event by the RIAI and the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage. Considered an important information exchange for all involved in housing delivery in Ireland, it is also one of Ireland’s longest running conferences, taking place every two years since 1969.

The Housing Conference also recognises innovative housing design in Ireland through the presentation of the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing – the highest award in Ireland for a housing project.

Conferences Sessions

Housing delivery will be examined from multiple angles, including procurement, housing affordability, innovative construction methods such as MMC, and challenges and opportunities in the adaptive re-use of buildings.  Housing typologies will be examined at a wide range of scales, and in the context of our cities and town centres. Best-practice case studies from Ireland, Estonia and UK will complement the conference sessions.  Irish keynote speakers will be joined by international thought leaders on housing.

Sunday 22 February - Walking Tour - "Exploring Sligo's Built Heritage"

Seán Martin FRIAI, and recently retired Sligo County Council senior architect will conduct a walking tour of approximately 90min duration, examining the place of Sligo's 19th century architecture - both grand and modest - in the development of the town through the prism of its strategic location, port, famine, recovery, prosperity, politics and the arts. 

Meeting Point
Meet at 14.30 at the Famine Monument in Quay Street Car Park.
To finish at the 1798 Monument at Market Cross. Booking not required.

Conference Dinner - Monday 23 February

A three-course Conference Dinner will be held at the Kitchen Restaurant in the Glasshouse Hotel, overlooking the Garavogue River for €50 per person. Register via Eventbrite platfrom. Limited availability.

Registration for the Local Authority

Registration is available for Local Authority. To access this option, please contact spapa@riai.ie. A valid Purchase Order number is required to complete the booking.

Accommodation - Special conference rate for delegates 

Accommodation is available at the Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo at a special conference rate for delegates. When booking, quote the group reference number 439495.

Contact the hotel reservations team on 07191 94300 or email info@theglasshouse.ie.

The conference room rate is available until Monday, 9 February 2026. 

RIAI CPD

Attending the one-day Housing Conference entitles you 5 Structured CPD Points, while attending in the two-day Housing Conference entitles you 10 Structured CPD Points. CPD certificates are no longer issued for attending events or conferences. You will need to manually add CPD activities to your MyRIAI account.