National Lottery Unveils 34 Outstanding Finalists for Prestigious Good Causes Awards 2023!

An orchestra that caters for the blind, a social enterprise that delivers large scale public artworks to transform neglected areas and a football team which helps people suffering from social exclusion to get back into the community are amongst the thirty-four community groups, sports clubs and organisations from all over Ireland who were today announced as national finalists in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards. 

The Awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals from all over Ireland who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities. Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes all over the country. 

Speaking at the announcement today, Christopher O’Brien CEO, Irish Homeless Street League was delighted his nonprofit organisation has made the national finals: “It's great news for everyone involved and a great opportunity to let people know about our leagues. At the Irish Homeless Street League, we believe ‘A Ball Can Change A Life’. Through our nationwide leagues we create positive change by empowering people with difficult lives to fulfil their true potential. We’re really looking forward to the big night out in October and taking a night off training with the team”.    

Chantel Pearse, goalkeeper with the Moyross branch of the Irish Homeless Street League, spoke of the impact being part of the team has had on her life: “It’s had a huge impact on my life. In my teenage years I struggled a lot with my mental health and life was very difficult for me, to the point where I ended up sofa surfing for a while. Since joining the Moyross team I’ve been supported in every way physically and mentally by my managers, teammates and supporters. In my personal life it’s made me work harder because I can see the achievements from perseverance. Everyone on our team is so accepting, because a lot of people have had the same struggles that they’re coming some from somewhere that is disadvantaged. All the women on the team come together and support each other - it’s like a big family.” 

Each of the 34 finalists will now receive €1,000 and proceed to the grand final in which there are seven categories: Arts & Culture, Community, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Irish Language, Sport and Youth. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which takes place on Saturday 21st October in Killashee House Hotel, Co. Kildare, where each of the seven category winners will receive €10,000 and the overall Good Cause of the Year will take home an additional €25,000. 

Andrew Algeo, CEO of the National Lottery, expressed his admiration for the finalists, stating, "On behalf of the National Lottery, I extend my warmest congratulations to the 34 National Finalists of the Good Causes Awards 2023. The inspirational people who drive these Good Causes on, show us all how the lives of others can be improved when real vision, generosity and commitment are applied.   Together, these Good Causes form and support communities across Ireland, and they have directly touched the lives of myriad individuals from all walks of life.” 

Photo Caption: The National Lottery today announced the 34 National Finalists for the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2023. Andrew Algeo, CEO of the National Lottery was photographed at the announcement along with The Irish Homeless League’s Women’s team, and Jennifer Crowe, the National Lottery CSR and Good Causes Relationship Manager

The 34 National Lottery Good Causes Awards finalists are below. More information on the finalists and the National Lottery Good Causes Awards can be found at: https://www.lottery.ie/good-causes-awards/finalists

Arts & Culture 

• Irish Chamber Orchestra, Limerick 
• Children's Books Ireland, Dublin 
• The Walls Project CLG, Waterford 
• Festival in a Van, Dublin 
• Irish Memory Orchestra, Galway  

Community 

• Waterford Marine Search and Rescue, Waterford 
• LGBT Ireland, Dublin 
• Boher Community Development Group, Tipperary 
• FoodCloud, Dublin 
• Lakers Social and Recreation Club, Wicklow  

Health & Wellbeing 

• Wicklow Rapid Response, Wicklow 
• ChildVision, Dublin 
• The Crann Centre, Cork 
• Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland, Dublin 
• Meath Women's Refuge & Support Services,  Meath  

Heritage 

• Tipperary Town Revitalisation, Tipperary 
• The Little Museum of Dublin, Dublin 
• Mayo Dark Skies, Mayo 
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland, Meath 
• Donegal Railway Heritage Museum, Donegal  

Irish Language 

• Ionad Cultúrtha, Cork 
• Raidió Rí-Rá, Dublin 
• AerachAiteachGaelach, Dublin 
• Conradh na Gaeilge, Dublin 

Sport 

• St. Gabriel's Foundation, Limerick 
• Special Needs Assistants in Louth (SNAIL) Group, Louth 
• Vision Sports Ireland, Dublin 
• Galway Sub Aqua Club, Galway 
• Irish Homeless Street League, Dublin 

Youth 

• Sligo/Leitrim Home Youth Liaison Service, Leitrim 
• Roscommon Young Carers Project (Vita House), Roscommon 
• Killinarden Family Resource Centre, Dublin 
• Foroige, Limerick 
• Youth Work Ireland Meath, Meath    

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on all National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage, and the Irish Language. In total more than €6 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 34 years ago. In 2021 alone, €304 million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland. 

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