daa pledges €530,000 to Irish charities following successful staff fundraising

Airport operator confirms three causes it will support in 2026.

2025 fundraising exploits take daa’s total donations since 2007 to almost €5m.

daa, the operator of Cork and Dublin airports, has committed €530,000 to three Irish charities following 12-months of fundraising activities by employees.

The amount raised was announced at a special event marking the conclusion of the 2025 programme and the announcement of daa’s Charity Partners for 2026.

Each of the 2025 charity partners – Good Shepherd Cork, Little Blue Heroes and CRITICAL – will each receive funding of around €176,666. The three charities were chosen by daa staff at the start of 2025.

The total amount raised reflects a collective effort by daa employees, passengers and the organisation itself. A total of €265,000 was raised through staff led fundraising initiatives and passenger donations across Dublin and Cork airports over the course of the year, which was then matched euro for euro by daa as part of its Charity of the Year programme.

Speaking at the event, Miriam Ryan, daa Chief Governance and Strategy Officer & Company Secretary, said: “Raising €530,000 for our Charity Partners is something we are all incredibly proud of. It reflects the creativity and commitment of our people right across Dublin and Cork airports, as well as the kindness and generosity shown by our passengers and colleagues who supported fundraising efforts throughout the year.

“From staff led events and challenges to simple, everyday actions like returning bottles through our recycling initiative, it has been powerful to see how small individual efforts came together to make such a meaningful difference. Knowing the impact this funding will have for these charities and the people they support makes the effort all the more worthwhile.”

About daa’s Charity of the Year Programme
daa’s Charity of the Year programme includes a wide range of fundraising events across Dublin and Cork airports, with all proceeds going directly to the participating charities. Since its launch in 2007, the initiative has raised over €4.7 million, supporting a broad range of causes across Ireland, including health, social services and community services.

Funds in 2025 were raised through a wide range of initiatives organised by daa employees, including bake sales, charity draws around major sporting and cultural events including last year’s historic Oasis concerts in Croke Park, sponsored cycles, staff challenges, raffles, and passenger donations.

The funding will support each charity’s essential work in communities across Ireland, helping to provide practical, frontline support to individuals and families at key moments in their lives.

About the three 2025 Charity Partners:
Good Shepherd Cork provides emergency accommodation and long-term support for women and children experiencing homelessness or domestic abuse, helping them rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive environment.

Little Blue Heroes supports families of children with serious illnesses across Ireland, working closely with An Garda Síochána to create special moments and provide practical assistance to children and their families.

CRITICAL is a volunteer-led emergency medical response charity delivering prehospital care in communities across Ireland, often providing lifesaving intervention in the critical moments before ambulance arrival.

Charity Partners announced for 2026
daa has announced the three new charities for 2026, which were again selected by staff following a process of nomination and voting. These are: Cancer Fund for Children, the Keeley D Foundation and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

Cancer Fund for Children provides emotional, social and therapeutic support to children and young people affected by cancer, as well as their families, helping them cope with the impact of diagnosis and treatment.

The Keeley D Foundation is a non-profit organisation, with the sole aim of offering practical support to families of children and young adults being treated for palliative cancer at home.

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust assists families in repatriating loved ones who have died abroad, helping to ease financial pressure and providing compassionate support when it is needed most.