Arthur Guinness Projects: Winners announced

The fruits of two months deliberation over almost 700 hopeful initiatives and ideas were revealed today, as broadcaster John Kelly announced the 14 winners for the Arthur Guinness Projects in Dublin's Fade Street Social.

Noting the impressive amount of talent and quality from all entries, Kelly – who sat on the music panel – admitted that "it was hard not to give money to everyone who wanted it." All-Ireland winning Donegal manager Jim McGuinness was also on hand to talk about his "really, really exhilarating" experience judging the sports category, whilst Marketing Director Stephen O'Kelly said he was "genuinely blown away".

Close to half a million euros will now be invested in the winners, who are:

Arts

Aerial Dance Creation Centre, a dedicated space for aerial/circus performers.
Man On Bridge, an interactive documentary that celebrates the legacy of Arthur Fields.
One Nation's Sons, which encourages the empowerment of potentially marginalised young men in their community.
Lifeline, which proposes the sensitive regeneration of the disused Midland Great Western Railway.

Music
Popical Island, the Dublin-based label which John Kelly feels "the sky is the limit" for.

Goldenplec, the online music news and review site.

Voices Of Hope, a community choir for people who suffer from Parkinson's Disease.

Sport

Accessing The Ocean, supplying tailored surfing lessons for people with special needs.

Breast Cancer Fitness Programme, a dragon boat team whose members have had a breast cancer diagnosis.

Club Colours, which helps GAA clubs of all sizes sell bespoke merchandise online.

Food

FoodCloud, offering solutions to food wastage and pollution.

Gaelic Escargot, Ireland's first free-range snail farm.

Grow HQ, a grassroots initiative to teach people how to grow their own food in an urban setting.

The Green Kitchen, which aims to the regenerate of a derelict building at Walkinstown Green.