Big hearts and strong hands have combined to make the community of West Belfast the pride of Ireland. Commitment, compassion and a spirit of can-do are the calling cards of a community which knows only one gear - forward.

At the wheel of this unstoppable community are enterprising small businesses, vibrant sports bodies, exuberant arts groups and diverse community organisations — all of which are deserving of praise.

And that's where the annual Best of the West Awards - now in their eleventh year - come in. For these awards are your opportunity to recognise the organisations and individuals which represent the cream of the crop.

Over coming weeks, you are invited to nominate your Best of the West contenders. Our judging panel will then shortlist the top entries and ask our readers to vote for their favourite. All votes cast will have to be confirmed via email to ensure the integrity of the results. Only one vote can be cast per person. 

We will raise a glass to the winners in a mammoth community celebration in the Devenish on Friday 5 June.

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BEECHMOUNT RESIDENTS COLLECTIVE

COLIN COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS

MAUREEN SHEHAN CENTRE

SUFFOLK COMMUNITY GARDEN

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BENGAL SPICE

BIA LOCH LAO

THE RODDY MCCORLEY REPUBLICAN HERITAGE CENTRE

YUM

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BROWN'S FISH & CHIPS

FEELEY'S POLEGLASS

GRANSHA GRILL

PIZZA PRO

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

ASHIA

BANBHA

FLAX COFFEE

LENA'S AT ARAS UI CHONGHAILE

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

3C'S COFFEE

ANAM

COFFEE & CLO

SEVEN COFFEE

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

SLIABH DUBH BAR

THE HAWTHORN BAR

THE HUNTING LODGE

THE WEST

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

FLYNN'S HARDWARE

GREENS

ROBINSON AROMAS

SPAR MOUNT EAGLES

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

ANDERSONSTOWN SOCIAL CLUB

MCENANEYS

THE DEVENISH

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

DO YOU BY CHLOE TULLY

OX PERFORMANCE

REAL LIFE FITNESS

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

ANDERSONSTOWN SOCIAL CLUB

RODDY MCCORLEY REPUBLICAN HERITAGE CENTRE

THE WEST SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

AMETHYST BY SINEAD

NICOLA MCLAUGHLIN

TMC PMU TRAINING ACADEMY

VIBE AESTHETICS

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

AB MORTGAGE & PROTECTION SERVICES

CUPPA

HEAL MY HAIR

ZAIN SUPERMARKET

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

ELLA'S EXTENSIONS

INSTA HAIR

OPAL HAIR

SCISSOR SISTERS

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

FRUITHILL NURSING HOME

GLENALINA LODGE CARE HOME

OUR LADY'S CARE HOME

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

COOPER'S PHARMACY ANDERSONSTOWN

LAURELGLEN PHARMACY

MCKEEVER'S CHEMISTS

MEDICARE - WHITEROCK PHARMACY

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

AISLING DAY CARE

BLACKIE RIVER CENTRE

TEACH MHAMO

WEE MUCKERS DAY CARE

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

CORPUS CHRISTY YOUTH CENTRE

GLEN PARENT YOUTH GROUP

ST TERESA'S YOUTH CENTRE

TULLYMORE YEP

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

MCNEILL IRISH DANCING

RANA'S SCHOOL OF BALLET

STUDIO 17

STUDIO 5

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

KEVIN BARTLETT

MADDY MCCRORY

MARY KATE (MIMI) PAGE

PAUL NUGENT AKA ETTA STILLETA

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

CULTURLANN MACADAM - O FIAICH

ROAR AND EXPLORE KENNEDY CENTRE

ST COMGALL'S - WHERE THE TROUBLES BEGAN EXHIBITION

PAIRC NUA-CHOLLANN

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

COLIN GLEN LIBRARY

SUFFOLK LIBRARY

WHITEROCK LIBRARY

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

COISTE

DARA BARRETT - MEMORY LANE TOURS

GERRY MC CLORY

LORRAINE MILLS - MILLIE'S TOURS

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

DOGGY DANDERS

FOODSTOCK

FOOTPRINTS WOMEN CENTRE

ST GALL'S HEN SHED

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

STAIR FAOIN SPEIR

AM LUI LE WENDY

IONAD NA FUISEOIGE

PEINT AUGS OI

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

EIMEAR HARGEY - JAMES CONNOLLY CENTRE

EMMA BOYLE - GLOR NA MONA

ROISIN MCGARRY - SALLY GARDENS

TERRY QUINN - WEST BELFAST PARTNERSHIP BOARD

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

GAVIN BURNS

INDIA SASHA

LAURYN NI RUANAIDH - WEE BELFAST CHICK

NEIL COOGAN

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BURNS AUTOCARE

CL AUTOS

SPRINGFIELD AUTOS

UNIVERSAL AUTOS

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BOUTIQUE INFINITY TANNING

SUNSHINE STUDIOS

TROPICAL HEAT SUNBEDS

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

50/50 WALK AND TALK GROUP

COLIN GLEN PARK RUN

FALLS PARK RUN

JOG BELFAST

BEST OF THE WEST 2026

CC VALETING

ELITE K9

LOUIS BOYD

THE RUG SHOP