The program was nominated for an Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTA) as 'Best Television Drama' in the years 2000 and 2003. The series has also been nominated for a TVNow Award as 'Favourite Soap' in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Its first ever victory, in 2008, was matched by a second victory in 2009. ''Fair City'' won 'Best Soap in the International Entertainment' category, at the Mediamixx festival in Bulgaria in July 2007.
Actor Reg E. Cathey has expressed a wish to appear in Fair City, as has former Emmerdale star Verity Rushworth.
Stuart Dunne, who portrayed Billy Meehan, was nominated for an IFTA as 'Best Actor in a Television Drama' in 2003.
Pat Nolan, who played Barry O'Hanlon, won a Rose d'Or award in the 'Best Soap Actor' category at the international Rose d'Or Festival in Switzerland on 7 May 2005.
Irish author Maeve Binchy and her husband writer Gordon Snell cameo as themselves on the 14 December 2011 episode. The couple appeared in a scene at the Hungry Pig as part of a storyline which sees Bob's (Bryan Murray) plans for a fundraiser backfire on him when he gets on the wrong side of Val (Rose Henderson).