We are delighted to announce that the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group with its Live Stranding Project has won the National Lottery Good Causes Award 2025 in the Heritage category, recognising the group’s vital contribution to the protection of Ireland’s marine wildlife and cultural heritage.
The National Lottery Good Causes Awards celebrate the inspiring work and achievements of projects, clubs, and individuals across Ireland who make extraordinary contributions to their communities. Each year, organisations that have benefited from projects or initiatives supported by National Lottery funding can apply to be considered. In IWDG’s case, the organisation received core funding from the Heritage Council, which is supported by the National Lottery. Applications are reviewed through a county and national selection process, with finalists chosen based on their impact, innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement. The awards are divided into several categories including Heritage, Health & Wellbeing, Sport, Youth, Arts & Culture, Irish Language and Community. Winners are selected by a panel of judges, and the awards shine a national spotlight on how funds raised by National Lottery players support good causes across Ireland.
IWDG’s Nomination: Protecting Ireland’s Marine Heritage
One of the organisation’s flagship initiatives is the Live Stranding Response Programme, which addresses the growing issue of live-stranded dolphins and whales along Ireland’s coastline. Its empowers volunteers and coastal communities to take action, saving marine life and raising awareness. Through science, advocacy, and hands-on conservation, IWDG inspires a deeper connection to Ireland’s marine environment and a shared responsibility to protect it. With no government agency responsible for responding to these incidents, IWDG fills a critical welfare gap. We trains volunteers, coordinates rescues, and raises public awareness to ensure stranded cetaceans receive emergency care and, where possible, a second chance in life.
One standout moment highlighted in the nomination was the 2022 mass stranding on the Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo, one of Ireland’s largest live dolphin strandings on record. Thanks to swift coordination between IWDG, local emergency services, and the community, 26 common dolphins were successfully refloated. This event captured the essence of IWDG’s mission: quick response, expert coordination, and community-driven action.
Winning the National Lottery Good Causes Award is a powerful acknowledgment of the importance of marine heritage within Ireland’s cultural and natural identity. This award brings national attention to the vital work being done to protect marine mammals and their habitats, while also supporting the volunteers, researchers, and communities who make this work possible.
IWDG extends heartfelt thanks to the National Lottery Good Causes Awards, the judging panel, and National Lottery players. We also want to acknowledge our dedicated network of volunteers, coastal communities, emergency services, and supporters who respond selflessly when marine animals need help most.
This award is a shared achievement, reflecting the collective effort to protect Ireland’s rich marine heritage for generations to come.
Csilla Trungel, Coordination and Communication Officer