Dáithí Ó Sé to be chair of judging panel for National Lottery Good Causes Awards

Deadline for applications extended to 5pm on Friday April 11

The National Lottery has officially announced Dáithí Ó Sé as the chair of the judging panel for the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2025, which 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.

The awards ceremony is on Saturday October 18 in Killashee House Hotel in Naas. .

Individuals, community projects and organisations who received Good Causes funding between the years 2020 and 2024 are eligible to apply.

The deadline for applications fois 5pm on Friday April 11 and beneficiaries can enter and check eligibility here.

The Good Causes Awards has seven categories:

• Sport

• Health and Wellbeing.

• Arts and Culture

• Heritage

• Community

• Youth

• Irish Language

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

A special category, ‘Hero of the Year’, will 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.

Daithi Ó Sé, chair of this year’s Good Causes Awards judging panel, said: “Last year, I had the privilege of presenting the Community Award and was blown away by the work being carried out across Ireland.

“It was an inspiring experience, and when I was asked to become the chair of the judging panel, I jumped at the chance, it’s an honour.

“As a proud supporter of these awards and the causes they celebrate, I encourage all eligible projects, clubs, and individuals to apply. Your efforts are making a real difference, and I look forward to reading the applications and choosing our new 2025 winners.”

Rebel wheelers, a previous county finalist of the Good Cause Awards, is a multi-sports club for adults and children with physical disability, in County Cork.

This May, the club’s basketball team is competing in the IWBF (International Wheelchair Basketball Federation) Eurocup qualifiers in Sardinia. Rebel Wheelers will be the first Irish club to make it to the qualification round for the IWBF Eurocup.

Jerry O’Regan, co-founder of Rebel Wheelers, said: “We encourage all eligible groups to apply for this year’s Good Causes Awards. It is remarkable the journey this club has been on over the last 17 years, from starting with a small team to becoming an established competitor across several sports in Ireland and internationally.

“This is a remarkable achievement and is testament to the incredible work and dedication of our players and all those involved in the club, made possible with National Lottery part funding. We look forward to continuing to provide a supportive environment for people with disabilities to achieve new heights through sport.”

How to enter

Entries are made online. More information and full competition rules here.