Ireland West Airport announces 2026 Charity Partners

Ireland West Airport is proud to unveil its six charity partners for 2026: Cancer Care West, Family Centre Castlebar, Liver Ireland Support Network, Mayo Mental Health Association, Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, and Sunflower Children’s Hospice. The airport team is looking forward to supporting the vital work these charities carry out in communities across Ireland.

Throughout the year, a range of engaging events will bring together passengers and staff, with the aim of raising as much funds as possible for these inspiring charities. A highlight of the calendar will once again be the much-anticipated Portwest 5K Runway Fun Run, set to take place this September on the airport runway. Further details will be announced soon. This year will be a very special year for the airport as it celebrates the 40^th anniversary of the official opening of the Airport. To mark the occasion a very special celebration night, in partnership with Midwest radio will take place in May at the airport and all proceeds raised from ticket sales will go towards the six charities. Details of this special event will be announced in the coming days.

Building on its commitment to innovative fundraising, the airport will continue its recycling initiative introduced last year. Dedicated bins throughout the terminal will be in place to allow passengers and staff to return plastic bottles and cans as part of the Re-turn scheme, with all proceeds going directly to support the six chosen charities. This simple but impactful initiative gives everyone travelling through the airport an opportunity to contribute.

Ireland West Airport’s Charity of the Year Programme is a cornerstone of its community engagement, and each year, the airport takes great pride in supporting charities whose work makes a real and lasting difference.

Marking the launch of the 2026 programme, Managing Director Joe Gilmore reflected on the airport’s strong track record of supporting charities ‘Last year, a record €54,000 was raised for six deserving charities, Connacht SBHI Branch (Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus), Dillon Quirke Foundation, Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Order of Malta (Knock Branch), The National Breast Cancer Research Institute, and Western Alzheimers, demonstrating the powerful impact of collective effort. The airport is proud to support six new charities for the coming year with the aim of surpassing the record amount raised in 2025’ .

Since the programme began in 2017, Ireland West Airport staff and passengers have helped raise nearly €350,000 for charities across Ireland—an achievement the airport is incredibly proud of, and one it looks forward to building on in 2026