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21 October 2025

Irish National Lottery: Celebrating the Power of Local Good Causes

Every year, the Good Causes Awards celebrate the inspirational work carried out by many volunteers, coaches, care givers and extraordinary people across Ireland, along with the organisations they represent. Beneficiaries are judged on how the funds are used to make an ever-lasting impact on their local community, project, club, or service users.

Did you know?

€6.5
billion

raised for Good Causes since 1987

€239
million

raised in 2024 alone

Nearly 30c
per €1 spent

on Lottery games goes to Good Causes

Inside the 2025 Good Causes Awards Edition

Among this year’s 35 National Finalists is Taking Flight Circus Club, a pioneering inclusive arts programme that empowers participants through creativity and confidence. The initiative is competing in the Arts & Culture category, reflecting how Good Causes funding fosters inclusion and artistic expression nationwide. 

From The Kabin Studio, giving young people a voice through music, to Ballymun Kickhams GAA, uniting communities through sport, this year’s finalists — spanning the categories of Health & Wellbeing, Sport, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Community, Youth, and Irish Language — showcased the extraordinary impact of Good Causes support. 

Discover the 35 National Finalists

And the winners are?

The National Lottery Good Causes Awards celebrate the inspiring work of individuals, community groups, and organisations across Ireland who have made a meaningful impact with the support of National Lottery funding.  

This year’s award ceremony was held on Saturday, 18th October at Killashee House Hotel in Naas, Co. Kildare. With a total prize fund of €100,000, each category winner receiveds €10,000, with the Overall Good Cause of the Year was awarded an additional €25,000. A special ‘Hero of the Year’ award recognises an exceptional individual within an organisation, with a prize of €5,000.  

There are seven award categories; Sport, Health & Wellbeing, Arts & Culture, Heritage, Community, Youth, and Irish Language.

 

Congratulations to this year’s National Lottery Good Causes Award winners:   

  • National Lottery Good Cause of the Year: AkiDwA, Dublin   
  • Arts and Culture: Festival in a Van, Dublin   
  • Community: AkiDwA, Dublin   
  • Health and Wellbeing: Kinaffe Community Garden, Mayo   
  • Heritage: Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, Clare   
  • Irish Language: Na Gaeil CLG, Kerry   
  • Sport: Dragon Boat Club Ballina, Mayo   
  • Youth: The Cavan Centre, Cavan   
  • Hero of the Year: Liam Brereton, St. Brigid’s Edenderry Boxing Club, Offaly   

On behalf of everyone at the National Lottery, I delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to AkiDwA as this year’s Good Cause of the Year as well as to every one of our outstanding category winners. This year’s winners highlight the very best of our small nation, making an extraordinary impact in our communities. Thanks to our players, these projects, clubs and individuals are changing lives every day, helping to build a better, fairer and more compassionate society for all. We are proud to recognise and honour your work.

Cian Murphy Chief Executive of the National Lottery
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