Dermot Kennedy Pledges €20,000 to Barretstown Children's Charity After Winning Radio Quiz
Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy has pledged to donate €20,000 to the Barretstown children's charity after winning a radio quiz on RTÉ 2FM — matching his €10,000 prize with his own money in a heartwarming act of generosity from one of Ireland's most beloved musicians that has been warmly received by fans and the charity sector alike.
Background
Barretstown is a registered charity based in County Kildare that provides free therapeutic recreation programmes for children and young people living with serious illness and their families. The charity, which is affiliated with the international Serious Fun Children's Network founded by actor Paul Newman, has helped over 125,000 children and family members since its establishment in 1994 — including more than 17,000 individuals in 2023 alone. It relies entirely on donations and fundraising to deliver its programmes, with an annual operating budget of approximately €10 million. All of Barretstown's services are provided entirely free of charge to the children and families who attend.
Dermot Kennedy, 32, from Rathcoole, County Dublin, is one of Ireland's most successful musical exports. His debut album, Without Fear (2019), and his second album, Sonder (2022), both reached number one in the UK and Ireland. His third album, The Weight of the Woods (2026), also debuted at number one in the UK, making him the first Irish solo artist to have his first three albums top the UK charts. In 2020, he became the first Irish act in a decade to have a number-one album and single in Ireland simultaneously, and he won the RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Irish Song of the Year in 2021 for "Better Days."
Key Developments
In February 2026, Kennedy appeared on the "A-Z Quiz" on RTÉ 2FM Breakfast with Carl, Roz and Aisling, winning a cash prize of €10,000. Rather than keeping the winnings, he pledged the full amount to Barretstown — and then matched it with €10,000 of his own money, bringing the total donation to €20,000. The pledge was announced on social media and quickly went viral, with fans and fellow musicians praising Kennedy's generosity.
Barretstown expressed its gratitude for the donation, noting that €20,000 would fund a significant number of camp places for children living with serious illness. The charity's CEO described Kennedy's gesture as "incredibly generous" and said it would make a real difference to the lives of children and families who benefit from Barretstown's programmes. The charity's celebrity ambassadors include mentalist Keith Barry, actor Barry Keoghan, Irish rugby players Tadhg Beirne, Gordon D'Arcy, and Mack Hansen, and broadcaster Kathryn Thomas.
Why It Matters
Dermot Kennedy's donation is a reminder of the power of celebrity philanthropy to support vital charitable causes at a time when many charities are facing funding pressures. Barretstown provides a unique and irreplaceable service for children living with serious illness, offering them the opportunity to experience the joy of childhood in a safe and supportive environment — a respite that can have profound therapeutic benefits for both the children and their families. The charity's work is entirely dependent on the generosity of donors, making Kennedy's pledge all the more significant. Beyond the financial impact, the publicity generated by his donation has raised awareness of Barretstown's work among a new generation of potential supporters, many of whom will have encountered the charity's name for the first time through Kennedy's social media posts.
Local Impact
Barretstown's reach extends across the island of Ireland, with children from Northern Ireland among those who benefit from its free camp programmes. For families in Belfast and across the North who are navigating the challenges of serious childhood illness, the charity represents a lifeline — a place where their children can simply be children, free from the weight of medical treatment and hospital appointments. Kennedy's donation, and the attention it has brought to Barretstown's work, is a welcome boost for a charity that serves some of the most vulnerable young people on the island. His broader philanthropic record — which includes contributing to a bushfire recovery album in Australia and participating in fundraising concerts for the World Health Organization — reflects a genuine commitment to using his platform for good.
What's Next
Barretstown's summer camp season is approaching, and the charity is continuing to fundraise to ensure it can offer places to all eligible children. The charity has encouraged anyone who has been inspired by Kennedy's donation to consider making their own contribution. Dermot Kennedy, meanwhile, is expected to continue his support for charitable causes as part of his broader commitment to giving back to the communities that have supported his career.
Sources: RTÉ; Barretstown; TheJournal.ie; MSN Ireland
