daa pledges €530,000 to Irish charities

There was a strong sense of pride and togetherness at daa last week as staff, passengers and supporters celebrated raising €530,000 for three charities through a year of grassroots fundraising across Dublin and Cork airports.

The impressive total, built up through hundreds of small acts of generosity, will now be shared between Good Shepherd Cork, Little Blue Heroes and CRITICAL, each receiving just under €177,000 to support their work with communities across Ireland.

What makes the figure stand out is not just its size, but how it was achieved.

Half of the total came directly from staff-led events and passenger donations throughout the year, with daa matching every euro raised.

It means that everything from bake sales and raffles to sponsored cycles and small daily gestures contributed to something much bigger.

At the heart of it all were the people working in the airports, many of whom gave up their time and energy to organise events, rally colleagues and encourage passengers to get involved.

There were charity draws tied to major sporting and cultural moments, including the hugely popular Oasis concerts at Croke Park, alongside quieter efforts like recycling initiatives and informal collections.

Those involved say it is that mix of big moments and everyday kindness that defines the programme.

A coffee morning here, a raffle ticket there, a returned bottle dropped into a collection point, each action adding up over time.

Miriam Ryan, daa’s Chief Governance and Strategy Officer, said the achievement belonged to everyone who played a part, from staff on the ground to travellers passing through the terminals.

She said the fundraising showed the “creativity and commitment” of employees across both airports, as well as the generosity of passengers who chose to support the effort along the way.

There was also a sense that the impact goes far beyond the money raised.

For many staff, the initiative creates a shared purpose that runs alongside the day to day work of running two of the country’s busiest transport hubs.

It offers a way to connect with each other and with the wider community, turning workplaces into something more human and outward looking.

Since it began in 2007, the Charity of the Year programme has raised more than €4.7 million for a wide range of causes, from health services to community supports.

Over nearly two decades, it has quietly become a fixture of life at both airports, something staff look forward to and take pride in.

For the three charities involved this year, the funding will make a tangible difference.

Good Shepherd Cork works with vulnerable women and children, providing housing and support services at critical moments in their lives.

Little Blue Heroes supports families of children with serious illnesses, often bringing moments of joy and relief during incredibly difficult times.

CRITICAL provides life-saving emergency medical equipment to hospitals and community responders across the country.

Each organisation operates on the frontline, dealing directly with people facing real challenges, which is why the connection between fundraising and impact feels so immediate for those involved.

For airport staff, many of whom meet thousands of passengers every week, there is a particular satisfaction in knowing that the busy flow of travel can also be a force for good.

A donation dropped into a collection point or a ticket bought for a raffle becomes part of a chain that leads directly to support for someone in need.