Ireland’s digital, creative and technology leaders gathered in The Mansion House last Friday night, the 13th of March, for the 29th annual Spider Awards, with headline partner One4all, to celebrate excellence across the industry.
Now in its 29th year, The Spider Awards (www.thespiders.ie) remain Ireland’s longest-running and most prestigious digital awards programme. This year’s black-tie gala welcomed approximately 500 guests from agencies, brands, tech innovators and creative teams across the country.
With entries up 30% on 2025, the 2026 awards reflected a sector operating at an exceptionally high standard. Judges noted a strong emphasis on strategic thinking, long-term impact and measurable results, alongside creative and technological excellence.
Among the standout winners on the night was GRANITE, which was named Large Agency of the Year and secured four additional category wins, cementing its position as one of Ireland’s leading digital agencies.
Chadwicks also had a remarkable evening, taking home two major accolades including the prestigious Grand Prix Award.
The ones to watch! There was a few first time Spider Award winners such as Good as Gold, Western Development Commission, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Idea, and Rooftop Twenty Two.
Other first time Spider Award winners were Chadwicks, SPAR Ireland, Oxfam Ireland, Claddagh Records, Bord Gáis Energy, Visit Belfast, Vhi Healthcare DAC, and Havas Media Ireland.
The Spider Awards 2026 Winners
Best UX & Customer Experience – Musgrave MarketPlace
Best Collaboration – Western Development Commission
AI-Powered Marketing Excellence Award – Údarás na Gaeltachta
Best in E-Commerce – GRANITE
Best in Storytelling – Idea
Digital for Good Award – Rooftop Twenty Two
Best App – GRANITE
Digital Team of the Year – Chadwicks
Best Consumer Campaign – GRANITE
Best in Universal Design – Kooba
Best Influencer Led Campaign – SPAR Ireland
Sustainability Impact Award – Oxfam Ireland
Best Use of Disruptive Technology – Vodafone Ireland
Cultural Driver Award – Claddagh Records
Best Brand – Ringers Creative
Small Agency of the Year – Good as Gold
Best Integrated Media Campaign – Bord Gáis Energy
Best in Social Media – Sweartaker
Best Website – SME – Visit Belfast
Best Website – Large Company – Vhi Healthcare DAC
Large Agency of the Year – GRANITE
Grand Prix Award – Chadwicks
Digital Rising Star Award – Havas Media Ireland
Clare Kilmartin, COO of The Spider Awards, said: “Fast approaching its 30th year and he 30% surge in entries reflects something significant — the creative community is coming out fighting and celebrating. There is much publicised concern about AI and creative ownership, but there’s also empowerment. Agencies, designers and marketing leaders are early adopters who’ve integrated these tools, and now they’re using the awards to showcase exactly what human creativity delivers. It’s a powerful moment for the industry.”
Terry Spence, Director of B2B Sales, One4all, headline partner of The Spider Awards, said: “At One4all, we are proud to support an awards programme that recognises innovation, creativity and measurable impact. The winners this evening reflect the forward-thinking mindset and strategic excellence that define Ireland’s digital industry. It is inspiring to see organisations of all sizes embracing new technologies while keeping customer experience and brand integrity at the heart of their work.”
Judge Naoise Ó Conchubhair commented: “The quality of entries this year is exceptionally high. There’s a clear emphasis on strategic thinking, not just execution. 2025 was a milestone year for accessible and universal design. The introduction of the EU Accessibility Act has helped ensure accessible design thinking is deeply embedded across the full lifecycle of every project we deliver as designers and developers. Overall, the confidence and quality of entries shows that the Irish digital design industry is going from strength to strength and continues to punch above its weight.”
As artificial intelligence continues to shape the creative landscape, this year’s winners demonstrated that while AI enhances capability, it is strategic insight, cultural intelligence and human-centred design that ultimately define award-winning work.
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