National Lottery seeks Carlow nominees for annual awards

THE National Lottery is calling on all Carlow changemakers to apply for this year’s National Lottery Good Cause Awards, which were officially launched last week.

The National Lottery Good Causes Awards honours 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. Individuals, community projects and organisations who received Good Causes funding between 2020 and 2024 are eligible to apply. Applications for the awards are now open and beneficiaries can enter and check eligibility at www.lottery.ie/goodcausesawards.

The 2025 Good Causes Awards will be split into seven categories covering good deeds in sport, health and wellbeing, arts and culture, heritage, community, youth and the Irish language.

Each category winner will be awarded €10,000, while the overall Good Cause of the Year will receive an additional €25,000.

A special category, Hero of the Year, will also be announced at the awards final, in recognition of outstanding work done by an individual within an organisation and will receive a prize of €5,000. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday 18 October in Killashee House Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s awards, National Lottery chief executive Cian Murphy said: “This is the seventh year of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, and again we are reminded of the extraordinary positive impact that the people who drive Ireland’s Good Causes have in shaping a brighter and more inclusive future for all.

“Everyone who is associated with the National Lottery can feel proud that the funding from ticket sales supports the success stories that are the Good Causes. Since 1987, more than €6.5 billion has been raised for Good Causes. In 2023 alone, €227.9 million was raised for Good Causes in communities all across Ireland.” Mark Dwyer, director of services of Hand in Hand CLG, Good Cause of the year 2024, encouraged eligible community groups to apply for this year’s awards.

He said: “We are incredibly grateful to have received the overall Good Cause of the Year award 2024. It has been hugely significant for Hand in Hand, with the funding we received enabling us to continue providing essential practical and emotional support services to families throughout Ireland affected by a childhood cancer diagnosis.

“The profile of the charity and the services we provide has increased significantly and, most importantly, more families are now aware of the supports we can offer them. We strongly encourage any organisation eligible to apply for the Good Cause Awards 2025.”