AN inspiring local organisation in Kerry has won big at this year’s National Lottery Good Causes Awards 2024.
It follows on from their Heritage Council award in honour of the legendary GAA commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, which was presented last week.
The Maharees Conservation Association took home the top prize in the Heritage category, winning an impressive €10,000. The organisation was established in 2016 to enhance, protect, and preserve this unique coastline through community-led climate adaptation.
The volunteer-run organisation works closely with residents, visitors, NGOs, state agencies, and the local authority to safeguard the Maharees sand dune system and its habitats, as well as, to preserve the community and heritage of the area.
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In 2021, the group received funding from the National Lottery Good Causes, which enabled them to develop the Maharees Heritage Trail. This mobile-accessible, self-guided trail features imagery, video, and both text and audio descriptions of 20 points of interest around The Maharees, exploring various aspects of the area’s natural, cultural, living, and built heritage.
The Maharees Conservation Association’s proactive spirit, commitment to environmental protection, and willingness to share knowledge with other coastal communities impressed the judges of the National Lottery Good Causes Awards.
Their efforts were recognised with winning the 2024 Heritage category award, highlighting them as a shining example of how local action can make a significant difference.
This year’s Good Causes Awards ceremony took place in Killashee House Hotel in Co. Kildare. Marty Whelan hosted the event and was joined by a star-studded line-up of guest presenters who handed out category awards, including TV personality Daithí Ó Sé, author and radio presenter Anna Geary, the inspiring Deborah Somorin, renowned architect and TV presenter Hugh Wallace and dancing sensation Arthur Gourounlian.
The Awards are made up of seven categories: Sport, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Community, Youth and Irish Language.