Issue 220 - BT22 • BT23
30 years of Game Changing Funding with Lottery
Kellie Armstrong MLA joined a host of National Lottery backed projects to celebrate three decades of game changing funding in Northern Ireland.
ARDS CCÉ Chair Niall McClean was congratulated at an announcement event hosted by Belfast City Council at Belfast City Hall.
ARDS CCÉ ARE NAMED HOST BRANCH FOR ALL-IRELAND FLEADH 2026 IN BELFAST!
Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú, Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, formally announced recently at Belfast City Hall that Ards CCÉ will be the host Comhaltas branch for the All-Ireland Fleadh 2026 in Belfast in association with Belfast City Council! This really is history in the making as this is the first time ever it’s been held in Belfast. This is also a mindboggling achievement and milestone for Ards CCE branch and a very proud moment for Donard McClean (co-founder and ‘Grand Patriarch’ of the branch), as the branch will also be celebrating their 50 years anniversary
in 2026. The All-Ireland Fleadh (Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann) is the world’s largest celebration of Irish music, song, dance & culture and for Ards CCÉ to be invited as host branch is a fitting accolade to the commitment and dedication of all our branch
and committee members. The Fleadh is also a very inclusive event and will involve many artists from all cultural backgrounds performing throughout the week, so everybody is very welcome to come along and enjoy what will be an amazing cross-community
festival experience! It is envisaged that the event will attract record visitor numbers from all over the world to Belfast and surrounding areas of up to 1 million people.
Continued on page 4
Since the first National Lottery draw in 1994, more than £1.5 billion has been awarded to local good causes, helping to improve lives, transform communities and promote positive change. At a special event held in Stormont, both Ministers and MLAs met a wide range of organisations from grassroots community groups to large-scale institutions, all of whom have benefited from vital support provided by The National Lottery. They heard how funding from The National Lottery has had a significant impact on arts, community, heritage and sporting sectors. Among those in attendance were John Dummigan of Portaferry Regeneration and Martyn Todd of Saintfield Community Association.
Both organisations have benefited from Lottery funding to support development programmes. Kellie Armstrong MLA said: “National Lottery funding has made a positive and lasting difference to many people across the Strangford constituency. Thanks to National Lottery players, more than £30 million is raised every week for good causes in the UK.In Northern Ireland the National Lottery has made 195 millionaires and 975 high-tier winners (over £50,000). Thirty years of National Lottery funding has created an unparalleled legacy in Northern Ireland: powering sporting excellence, protecting cultural treasures, advancing artistic achievement and strengthening communities across the north.