Two local organisations from Galway were yesterday announced as National Finalists in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2023.
Galway has received nominations in the Arts & Culture and Sport categories of the 2023 awards, competing amongst a total of 34 finalists.
The first of the initiatives being recognised at the awards is the Irish Memory Orchestra, the only ensemble of its kind in the world which caters to musicians with sight-loss.
The second is Galway Sub Aqua Club which promotes all aspects of underwater swimming and assists in searches for victims lost at sea, an invaluable service in a coastal area which unfortunately has seen many such tragedies over the years.
Andrew Algeo, CEO of the National Lottery, expressed his admiration for the Galway finalists, stating, “On behalf of the National Lottery, I extend my warmest congratulations to the two National Finalists from Galway in the Good Causes Awards 2023.”
“This prestigious recognition is a testament to the unwavering commitment and hard work of the volunteers who have dedicated themselves to making a difference to the lives of others.”
“Their contributions have transformed communities across the nation, touching the lives of individuals from all walks of life.”
“From the smallest villages to the largest cities, these organisations have built bridges, provided opportunities, and offered support where it was needed most.”
Each of the 34 National 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, October 21 in Killashee House Hotel, Co. Kildare.
There, 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.
The 34 National Lottery Good Causes Awards finalists are below. More information on the finalists and the National Lottery Good Causes Awards can be found on their website.
The full list of finalists for the 2023 awards is:
Arts & Culture
• Irish Chamber Orchestra, Limerick
• Children’s Books Ireland, Dublin
• The Walls Project CLG, Waterford
• Festival in a Van, Dublin
• Irish Memory Orchestra, Galway
Community
• Waterford Marine Search and Rescue, Waterford
• LGBT Ireland, Dublin
• Boher Community Development Group, Tipperary
• FoodCloud, Dublin
• Lakers Social and Recreation Club, Wicklow
Health & Wellbeing
• Wicklow Rapid Response, Wicklow
• ChildVision, Dublin
• The Crann Centre, Cork
• Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland, Dublin
• Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services, Meath
Heritage
• Tipperary Town Revitalisation, Tipperary
• The Little Museum of Dublin, Dublin
• Mayo Dark Skies, Mayo
• Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland, Meath
• Donegal Railway Heritage Museum, Donegal
Irish Language
• Ionad Cultúrtha, Cork
• Raidió Rí-Rá, Dublin
• AerachAiteachGaelach, Dublin
• Conradh na Gaeilge, Dublin
Sport
• St. Gabriel’s Foundation, Limerick
• Special Needs Assistants in Louth (SNAIL) Group, Louth
• Vision Sports Ireland, Dublin
• Galway Sub Aqua Club, Galway
• Irish Homeless Street League, Dublin
Youth
• Sligo/Leitrim Home Youth Liaison Service, Leitrim
• Roscommon Young Carers Project (Vita House), Roscommon
• Killinarden Family Resource Centre, Dublin
• Foróige, Limerick
• Youth Work Ireland Meath, Meath
