The National Lottery Good Causes Awards kicked off in style tonight with some of Ireland's most inspirational community groups gathering in Dublin for the event.
Presenter Grainne Seoige, celebrity trainer Karl Henry, broadcaster Norah Casey and RTÉ weather woman Nuala Carey were among the well-known faces on the red carpet at the Clayton Hotel Burlington tonight.
The National Lottery Good Cause Awards seek to recognise these worthy individuals and groups in the community each year and celebrate their work.
Now in its second year, more than 480 entries from around the country were submitted to the awards but only 36 regional winners progressed through to the national final tonight.
The awards celebrate work in six main categories: Sport & Recreation, Health & Wellbeing, Heritage, Arts & Culture, Community and Youth. A seventh category, Irish Language, has a special award to be announced on the night too, in recognition of outstanding work done to promote the Irish Language.
Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on National Lottery games goes back into the community and last year alone, more than €226 million was raised by participants of the National Lottery for good causes.
For more news on the National Lottery Good Causes Awards see here.
