Meet the Good Cause National Finalists Driving Change Across Ireland!

The National Lottery are delighted to officially announce the 35 Good Cause beneficiaries that have been selected as National Finalists in this year’s National Lottery Good Causes Awards. These awards, now in their seventh year, honour the inspiring work and achievements of projects, clubs and individuals all over Ireland, who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities.

From Taking Flight Circus Club Project encouraging creativity and confidence, The Kabin Studio giving young people a voice through music to Ballymun Kickhams GAA bringing a community together through sport, this year’s National Finalists reflect the powerful impact of Good Causes funding across the country. These organisations show how local projects help shape a more vibrant, inclusive and connected Ireland for everyone.

Announcing the National Finalists, National Lottery CEO, Cian Murphy, said: “It’s a privilege to unveil and celebrate this year’s National Finalists in the Good Causes Awards. This inspiring group of projects, organisations and individuals are transforming communities all over Ireland through their remarkable work. These finalists are a testament to the incredible difference that Good Causes funding makes every day, helping to build a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone. Everyone connected with the National Lottery should feel proud that since 1987, over €6.5 billion has been raised for thousands of Good Causes, including €239 million in 2024 alone, enabling success stories like these to flourish nationwide.”

Returning as host for this year’s Good Causes Awards, Marty Whelan, said: “Every year, I’m blown away by the heartwarming stories and tireless dedication behind our Good Causes. This year’s National Finalists truly represent the best of us — passionate, determined, and committed to making Ireland an even better place for everyone. It’s an honour to help shine a spotlight on their achievements and give them the national recognition they deserve. I wish each of our National Finalists the very best of luck in the final stage of this year’s Good Causes Awards!”

National Finalist, Taking Flight Circus Club Project Member, Sean McIlraith said: “We are delighted and honoured to be named a National Finalist in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2025. This recognition highlights the positive impact Taking Flight in collaboration with St. Michael’s House has in encouraging creativity and confidence within our local community. We are grateful for the support that enables us to continue making a difference where it matters most.”

The full list of National Finalists can be found below and on our website by clicking here

• Arts & Culture, The Kabin Studio, Cork • Arts & Culture, Anna Newell Theatre Adventures, Wicklow • Arts & Culture, Galway Community Circus, Galway • Arts & Culture, Taking Flight – Circus Club Project, Dublin • Arts & Culture, Festival in a Van, Dublin
• Community, Drogheda Women & Children's Refuge, Louth • Community, Tullow Community First Responders, Carlow • Community, Duhallow Community Food Services, Cork • Community, AkiDwA, Dublin • Community, Borrisokane Men's Shed, Tipperary
• Health & Wellbeing, Happy Trails, Wexford • Health & Wellbeing, Barretstown, Kildare • Health & Wellbeing, Kinaffe Community Garden, Mayo • Health & Wellbeing, Spraoi agus Spórt, Donegal • Health & Wellbeing, The Book of Memories Café, Meath
• Heritage, Irish Whale And Dolphin Group, Clare • Heritage, Cork Nature Network, Cork • Heritage, Irish Wildlife Trust Monaghan Branch, Monaghan • Heritage, Airfield Estate, Dublin • Heritage, Tipperary Museum of Hidden History, Tipperary
• Sport, Dragon Boat Club Ballina, Mayo • Sport, Rebel Wheelers, Cork • Sport, St Brigid's Edenderry Boxing Club, Offaly • Sport, Tanagh Outdoor Education and Training Centre, Monaghan • Sport, Ballymun Kickhams GAA, Dublin
• Youth, Mullingar EYE & YoYo Youth Cafe Youth Work Ireland Midlands, Westmeath • Youth, Western Care Association- Count Me In, Mayo • Youth, The Cavan Centre, Cavan • Youth, Irish Girl Guides, Dublin • Youth, Castlegregory Community Golf Course Association, Kerry
• Irish Language, Conradh na Gaeilge, Dublin • Irish Language, Raidió na Life, Dublin • Irish Language, Na Gaeil Oga CLG, Dublin • Irish Language, Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Galway • Irish Language, Na Gaeil CLG, Kerry

The 35 National Finalists will now progress to the awards ceremony which will take place on Saturday, 18th of October in Killashee House Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare.

The total prize fund available on the night of the Good Causes Awards ceremony is €100,000, whereby 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. A special category, ‘Hero of the Year’, will be announced on the awards night in recognition of outstanding work. The recipient will receive a prize of €5,000. In addition, each of the 35 National Finalists announced will receive a cheque for €1,500.

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on 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 €6.5 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 37 years ago. In 2024 alone, €239.3 Million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.

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