Sixty three new buildings across the UK and the EU have been rewarded with RIBA Awards for their high architectural standards and their contribution to their local environment. Projects selected for their design excellence range in size and use from 30 St Mary Axe (Swiss Re Tower) in London to a steel maze in the Kielder Forest Park in Northumberland. Projects by Frank Gehry, Studio Daniel Libeskind and Foster and Partners are amongst the winners.

Three projects from Ireland have been recognised in the European category:

Howth House, O'Donnell + Tuomey, "a delightful family house, with excellent aspect and prospect, which makes a distinctive architectural contribution to its neighbourhood without trying to dominate. Clearly the result of a happy collaboration between committed client and sensitive architect."

Limerick County Hall, Bucholz McEvoy, "Set in the context of arterial roads, a shopping centre and a sea of suburban housing, this new civic complex is an outstanding example of how architectural skill, allied to client aspiration, can produce a landmark building."

The Spire, Ian Ritchie Architects, "Every single decision about this scheme required intense thought, both on the part of the architect and associated consultants. The result is a true icon for a European capital city, confident of itself and its ability to produce cultural statements of significance." Representing three out of a total of ten european buildings recognised, this is surely an indication of the rapidly rising level of Irish architecture.

In addition, The Batik Building, Belfast by Twenty Two Over Seven won an award in the Northern Ireland category.

The 63 winners will form the long-list for the RIBA Stirling Prize in association with The Architects' Journal , which Channel 4 will broadcast for the fifth year running on Channel 4 on Saturday 16 October.

During the RIBA Awards event, six additional buildings from around the world received an RIBA Worldwide Award. These new awards, in association with The Architectural Review, recognised significant international projects by practices including Zaha Hadid Architects, Richard Rogers Partnership and Alsop Architects.

Speaking at the awards dinner RIBA President George Ferguson said: "The RIBA Awards process has come up trumps again, recognising a remarkable selection of buildings from almost every sector. I am particularly delighted to see a good number of buildings designed for children, including two nurseries and five schools, amongst this year's winners. Other buildings which range from a cancer care respite centre, a public swimming pool, a dental clinic and a department store to arts centres indicate that yet more of the UK population will experience the benefits that good architecture can bring. The health of the profession has never looked better. We all now look forward to seeing how this great range of buildings fare in the RIBA Stirling Prize stakes, to be televised live on Channel 4 in October."