National Lottery Unveils 35 Outstanding Finalists for Prestigious Good Causes Awards 2024
A voluntary mountain rescue team, a charity offering practical and emotional support to families facing a cancer diagnosis in young patients, and a sports club that seeks to encourage women play senior football and become coaches and referees are amongst the thirty-five community groups, sports clubs and organisations from all over Ireland who were today announced as National Finalists in the 2024 National Lottery Good Causes Awards.
The Awards honour and recognise the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs, organisations 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, Moninne Griffith (she/her), CEO Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, was delighted the nonprofit organisation has made the national finals: “We are thrilled to be finalists in the Good Causes Awards 2024. It means so much to our team that our life-saving work supporting LGBTQ+ young people is recognised. We work endlessly to ensure that LGBTQ+ young people feel safe in their homes, schools and communities right across the country and we look forward to joining other organisations making a change around the country.”
Brendan Courtney, TV & Radio Presenter, Designer and Chair of the Good Causes Awards judging panel said: “It is a tremendous honour to be chairing the judging panel at this year’s Good Causes Awards. These Good Causes form part of the backbone of local communities throughout the country and I am pleased to be in a position to recognise first-hand the massive effort and dedication that goes into the running of all of this year’s awards. No matter the outcome, all 35 finalists and those behind them should be proud of their achievements and the important role they play in their communities on a daily basis.”
Each of the 35 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 12th 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.
Cian Murphy, CEO of the National Lottery, commented: “I’d like to extend my sincere congratulations to the 35 National Finalists of the Good Causes Awards 2024. Each of these causes and the people behind them play a pivotal role in fostering and supporting communities throughout Ireland and we are thrilled to recognise their significant contributions at this year’s Good Causes Awards ceremony. “
The 35 National Lottery Good Causes Awards finalists are below. More information on the finalists and the National Lottery Good Causes Awards can be found here.
Arts & Culture
- Complex Productions
- Tramp Press
- Kids Own Publishing Partnership
- Réalta
- Helium Arts
Community
- Specialisterne Ireland CLG
- Irish Stammering Association
- South Meath Social Economy
- Castleblayney Trust for Homeless, Needy & Unemployed
- Glen of Imaal Irish Red Cross Mountain Rescue
Health & Wellbeing
- The Anne Sullivan Foundation
- Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity
- Embrace FARM
- Cian’s Kennels CLG
- The Down Syndrome Centre North East
Heritage
- The Liberties Weavers
- Athenry Arts & Heritage Centre
- Maharees Conservation Association CLG
- Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum
- BirdWatch Ireland
Irish Language
- Ionad Cultúrtha an Dr. Ó Loinsigh
- ABAIR
- Muintir Chrónáin
- Raidió Rí-Rá
- Cill Dara le Gaeilge
Sport
- Éire Óg Inis
- Special Olympics Ireland
- Castletown Belles FC
- Mullingar Handball Club
- Kiltegan GAA Club
Youth
- Doras Buí
- The Sexual Health Centre
- Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland
- Blue Box Creative Learning Centre
- Involve Youth Project 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 36 years ago. In 2022 alone, €259.5 Million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.
