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Movember Campaign Launch 2025

Over Half of Irish Adults Believe Men Need More Support To Manage Personal Health & Wellbeing

 

• Almost four in ten believe stigma around seeking help is a major barrier to men addressing health issues
• Two in five Irish adults feel men’s mental health is getting worse
• Cost of living and limited support for mental health – biggest pressures facing men
• Findings revealed as Movember launches 2025 campaign urging the nation to raise funds for men’s health

 

Wednesday, 22nd October 2025: Over half of Irish adults (56%) believe that men in Ireland need greater support to manage their health and wellbeing. Stigma around seeking help (34%) and an inability to ask for help (23%) were identified as major barriers to men addressing health concerns, while worryingly two in five feel men’s mental health is deteriorating reveals* Movember, the leading charity working to change the face of men’s health. Launching its annual nationwide campaign, Movember is calling on people across the country to raise vital funds to support men’s health initiatives, highlighting that men’s health is not just a men’s issue but a societal one impacting families, friends, and the wider community that support them. This year’s campaign is being championed by an impressive line-up of ambassadors, including former Munster rugby player Simon Zebo, broadcaster Darren Kennedy, former Mayo GAA footballer Pádraig O’Hora, and psychotherapist, author and pundit Richie Sadlier.

 

Drawing on findings from its landmark Real Face of Men’s Health* report which explores the attitudes and experiences shaping men’s health and wellbeing in Ireland today, it reveals that the cost of living (42%) and limited support for mental health (25%) were cited as the biggest pressures facing men.

 

Globally, a man dies by suicide every minute and in Ireland, four out of every five deaths by suicide are male. This is a national crisis that disproportionately affects younger, working-aged men. The findings from the report also indicate clear concerns for young men with half of Irish adults (50%) believing young men are becoming increasingly isolated, whilst 62% say they struggle to find purpose. Technology was cited by 35% of Irish adults as among the reasons it is more difficult for men to establish meaningful social connections while 70% of Irish adults believe greater efforts need to be made to tackle the epidemic of loneliness which is impacting men in Ireland, with the country already ranked as the loneliest in the EU.**

 

Prostate and testicular cancer awareness and early intervention remains central to the work of Movember. Through research, strategic partnerships and education the charity aims to support men achieve more positive health outcomes through earlier diagnosis and treatment. In Ireland, prostate cancer is the number one cancer affecting men (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) with one in every six men diagnosed in their lifetime and 4,000 men diagnosed annually. Testicular cancer affects about 170 men in Ireland each year and is the most common cancer diagnosed in young men aged between 15 and 34 years.***

 

Speaking at the launch, Sarah Ouellette, Movember Country Manager, said,

 

“Movember as a campaign is all about having fun with impact, it’s about galvanising individuals and communities across the country to raise vital funds for men’s health. Poor men’s health is an issue that affects everyone, and its ripple effects are felt across families, workplaces, and society.

 

“Every man is a son, brother, friend, colleague or partner and it is important that we all recognise this and strive to create a society and health system that is gender responsive and empowers men to reach out and seek help earlier. Earlier supports and treatments lead to more positive outcomes.

 

“We know, Irish men are dying too young, and this must change. The moustache is a global symbol for positive change and we at Movember are appealing to the public to support the campaign this year. There are lots of ways to get involved, it’s about finding a way that works for you, whether that’s rallying your crew and getting a little creative while doing good for men’s health, or going solo. So why not grow a mo, host an event, move for mental health (60km walk or run); Mo your own way, or simply donate. Together we can all make lasting positive change and show up for the men in Ireland”.  

 

Since 2003, Movember has funded more than 1,300 men’s health projects globally, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men.

 

This coming Movember (November), supporters are encouraged to either grow a moustache, move 60km in the month, host an event or take on an epic challenge. The charity is appealing to the nation to get involved and support the health and wellbeing of the men in their lives.

 

Since 2008, over €29 million has been raised in Ireland with all funds go directly towards supporting men’s health research, programmes and community projects across mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.

 

Grow a moustache. Raise funds. Save lives. Sign up now at Movember.com/support-us

Movember Launch Real Face of Men’s Health Report

Men in Ireland are dying too young of causes that are largely preventable according to new findings from the Real Face of Men’s Health report launched today by Movember. The report reveals that two in five (40.2%) of all male deaths were premature and that men are 40% more likely to die prematurely than women, across each of the five leading causes. Men living in the most deprived areas in Ireland were 150% more likely to die before the age of 75 than those living in the least deprived areas. Health economic analysis for the report also reveals that the five leading causes of years of life lost among Irish men cost over €1 billion in 2023 alone, €716 million which could have been prevented. The report, produced in partnership with the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland and the National Centre for Men’s Health (SETU) calls for cross Government support to expedite the roll out of the National Men’s Health Action Plan throughout Ireland. The report is a first of its kind to examine the reality of men’s health in Ireland today and is being supported by Irish Grammy winning musician Cian Ducrot and sporting legend Barry McGuigan.

The report provides a comprehensive assessment of men’s health in Ireland, combining new research and analysis. It details the barriers for men accessing healthcare, the wider impact of men’s ill health, beyond the individual, extending to partners, families and communities as well as the economic costs to the country. It is informed by a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Irish adults plus almost 1,000 caregivers and clinicians combined.

Key Findings:

 

Barriers to health: GPs said that the two biggest barriers to addressing men’s health issues were a lack of time and men’s reluctance to discuss sensitive topics. Fewer than one in three GPs (29%) felt they had a very good understanding of men’s health. When it came to men specifically addressing mental health concerns, GPs cited stigma, social norms around self-reliance, lack of support networks and fear of career impact as barriers to proactively seeking support.

 

Mental health: Mental health remains a critical concern. Men account for four in every five suicides (79%), and over nine in ten GPs (97%) encountered men presenting with suicide or suicidal ideation in the past year. On average GPs reported seeing 15 male patients per year presenting with suicidal behaviour with most cases in the 18–34-year-old and 35-54 age group.

 

The ripple effect of men’s health: The report highlights the ripple effect of men’s ill-health showing the impact goes beyond the individual, impacting families and communities. Six in ten (60%) carers of men – the majority women, reported a decline in their own mental health; 68% said there was an impact on personal energy, and over six in ten (65%) experienced frequent worry and anxiety because of caring responsibilities. Eight in ten carers (80%) said that the barriers they faced negatively affected the quality of care they are able to provide.

 

Financial Costs: New research by HealthLumen estimates the costs of the five causes of the largest number of years of life lost to ill health for men in Ireland – coronary heart disease; stroke; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; lung cancer; and suicide. This means that if all these preventable health issues had been avoided in men, Ireland could have potentially saved a total of €716 million in 2023 alone.

 

Public concern and demand for action: The report calls on the Government to recognise the need to progress the National Men’s Health Action Plan 2024-2028 with a number of recommendations, including investing an initial €10m in the plan, in tandem with commissioning a full cost analysis, and prioritising the development of a cross-Government Policy Statement on Men’s Health. Men’s health is a unifying issue among the public with three quarters of Irish adults (75%) expressing concern around the current state of men’s health, in particular suicide (75%), loneliness (70%) and men’s mental health challenges (62%). Over six in ten adults (62%) believe young men are struggling to find purpose in society compared to previous generations. Three in five Irish dads (61%) also indicated they don’t feel supported within their roles and that there is a lack of understanding and support for men as part of the fatherhood journey.

 

Sarah Ouellette, Movember Country Manager speaking at the launch today stated that the report represents an important milestone in Ireland’s globally recognised national efforts to advance policy and actions to support men’s health.

 

“Put simply, Irish men are dying too young from preventable causes, and too many are living with poor health. Three quarters of the Irish public share this concern. There is also growing apprehension for the wellbeing of younger men with over half of Irish adults believing young men are growing increasingly disconnected from society and face greater difficulty in finding their place and purpose. We can see from the report, the huge unease around men’s mental health, with two in five believing that men’s mental health is getting worse while latest available figures show that four in five suicides are male, while worryingly suicide remains the leading cause of death among young men aged 15 to 29.

 

Men’s health is not only about men – it’s about families, carers, and society as a whole. We know that with earlier interventions, screening, and gender-responsive healthcare, we can respond to the challenges facing men’s health and bring about positive change. We are calling on the Government to commit to the ambitions of the National Men’s Health Action Plan and invest an initial €10 million to progress it. Investment in men’s health is not only for the benefit of men but for the whole of society.”

Dr Noel Richardson, Director, National Centre for Men’s Health, South-East Technological University & Lead Author states:

“This landmark report sheds considerable light on the state of men’s health in Ireland today and the range of factors that shape health outcomes in men. The depth and breadth of data contained in the report will be such an important resource for policy makers and practitioners working in men’s health in the years ahead. It makes a compelling case that men’s health matters and that improving men’s health benefits not just men but has important ripple effects for women’s and children’s health and for wider communities. Most importantly, the report can be a catalyst for positive change in men’s lives by appealing to men to protect their most valuable asset – their health.”

Speaking at the launch, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said:

“Ireland is a world leader in men’s health, and we were the first country to adopt a National Men’s Health Policy in 2009, followed by two action plans in 2017 and 2024. Throughout this period, significant progress has been made towards improving men’s health and there is a need to maintain the momentum and build upon the achievements to date. My department supports this important work with the provision of funding for the Irish Men’s Sheds Association, Men’s Development Network, Men’s Health Forum in Ireland, as well as working in partnership with our colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and the HSE.

“The research findings and analysis in the Real Face of Men’s Health report will serve as a valuable tool in building on the advancements made to date. I look forward to ongoing engagement with Movember to progress this agenda and congratulate them on this comprehensive research publication.”

Speaking at the launch, musician and Movember ambassador Cian Ducrot said,

“The work undertaken by Movember in collaboration with its research partners is extremely timely. The report findings are hard hitting, showing the health challenges, both physical and mental that face men in Ireland today. It shines a light on the lived experiences of men and spotlights the biggest barriers to a man in Ireland taking action to address a health concern. It is a wake-up call to all involved in men’s health to tackle these issues with courage, conviction, and work to make a real difference, for men, both young and old in this country.”

Barry McGuigan, Irish sporting legend and Movember ambassador said,

“It’s an honour to have the opportunity to support Movember on the launch of its Real Face of Men’s Health report which marks a milestone moment for men’s health in Ireland. The findings demonstrate the urgent need to take real and meaningful action to positively address the barriers to men accessing healthcare. The report findings are stark, but it also provides solutions to the issues. There is now a real opportunity for those involved in our healthcare system to really address the issues raised, and to implement initiatives that can have a real and positive impact in the lives of men in Ireland, and beyond in families and communities.

Barretstown Annual Big Picnic Event 2025

STARS COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT BARRETSTOWN AT ANNUAL BIG PICNIC EVENT

Funds Raised for Children Affected by Cancer and Other Serious Illnesses

Well-known Irish personalities joined thousands of visitors for a spectacular day at Barretstown’s annual Big Picnic, in association with Brady Family Ham. Funds raised go towards the provision of Barretstown’s life changing therapeutic camps and programmes for children impacted by cancer and other serious illnesses.

To date, Barretstown has served over 125,000 children and families through its specially designed residential and outreach camps and programmes and today welcomed guests to its fabulous campus for a fun-filled family day out.

Attendees were treated to an action-packed line-up that included breathtaking performances from Fossett’s Circus, activities such as canoeing and face painting, music, dance, and much more. Well-known personalities spotted enjoying the day included presenter Anna Daly, model Sarah Morrissey, jeweller and entrepreneur Chupi Sweetman, former Ireland women’s rugby player Lindsay Peat, TV stylist Rosalind Lipsett and fashion designer Don O’Neill as well as his husband, Pascal Guillermie.

In addition to the entertainment and activities on the day, visitors were also given the opportunity to tour the Barretstown facilities, meeting staff and volunteers who deliver its life-changing programmes.

Commenting, Barretstown CEO Dee Ahearn said: “I would like to sincerely thank all those who attended this year’s Big Picnic and were part of creating such a wonderful atmosphere. Special events like this provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase the real impact of such generous support and highlight the vital work carried out by Barretstown. The funds raised are crucial in allowing us to continue to deliver our therapeutic camps and programmes to as many seriously ill children and their families as possible.”

For more information or to learn how to support Barretstown visit www.barretstown.org

Irish technology firm Konversational announces U.S expansion with opening in New York

Irish technology consultancy firm Konversational is advancing its strategic growth globally with the Dublin headquartered company pleased to announce its expansion into the United States with the opening of its first office in New York. The move is anticipated to generate over €5 million ($5.8 million) in revenue and create up to 40 new roles at its US headquarters within the first year. It currently employs 80 IT professionals across six locations including Dublin, London, Paris, Nantes, Zurich and Munich.

Founded in 2020, Konversational is among the most experienced ServiceNow Customer Workflow partners globally and is only the second company worldwide to earn the prestigious Customer Experience Advanced Specialisation. This latest move represents an important juncture for Konversational, signalling its intent to break into the U.S market, with ambitions to capitalise on the high demand for customer service technologies, valued at almost $4 billion*. The launch comes less than 18 months after its expansion into France, Germany, and Switzerland.

As an Elite partner of ServiceNow, Konversational are the preferred deployment and implementation partner of ServiceNow Customer Workflow technologies, which enable enterprise companies to increase efficiencies, automate services and provide an enhanced customer service offering as part of large-scale digital transformation projects. Since its establishment, it has accelerated rapidly through the ServiceNow accreditation system, attaining Elite Partner status in less than 18 months, and retaining the designation for over three years.

John Gilleran, Co-CEO, Konversational said, 

“Expanding into the United States is a significant milestone for us and one that we have been building towards since opening our Dublin headquarters less than five years ago. The U.S market alone represents a tremendous growth opportunity for Konversational. We are looking forward to bringing our award-winning market leading services to the U.S. market and to supporting clients achieve commercial ambitions, underpinned and supported by the global leading technology solutions of ServiceNow.”

Richard Guy, Co-CEO, Konversational said,

“Our expansion into the United States represents a natural evolution of Konversational’s growth journey. The scale of our success in Ireland, the UK and in Europe has built a strong foundation for us to now bring our proven methodologies, tools, and talent to the biggest market in the world. What excites us is the opportunity to work with forward-thinking U.S. organisations that are ready to innovate and elevate their customer experience strategies.”

Aidan McKenna, Regional Director, Americas, Enterprise Ireland 

“Enterprise Ireland supports Irish companies such as Konversational to enter and scale in the U.S. market, the number one market internationally for digital tech exports.

Konversational has been hugely successful across Europe and now brings this success to the U.S. market to enhance customer experiences and accelerate digital transformation for U.S. companies.”

 

Uisce Éireann Issues National Appeal To Conserve Water

As the country is set to enjoy a long spell of warm weather, Uisce Éireann, today announced a national appeal encouraging the public to help protect the country’s water supplies by adopting simple water-saving practices at home, in the garden, and at work. As part of the appeal Uisce Éireann has teamed up with broadcaster Kathryn Thomas to help raise awareness of the importance of water conservation.

Already the water network is experiencing increased pressure on supplies across several regions, including counties Dublin, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Cork, Galway, Donegal, Meath, Westmeath, Clare, and Wexford.

The aim of the appeal is to remind the public that saving water doesn’t have to be difficult. By making small adjustments, we can all contribute to managing water more efficiently.

Below are some easy water-saving tips:

• Leave the hose in the shed: Drop the hose during the summer months. Use a rose head watering can to water your plants instead of a hose or sprinkler. Running a hose for just one hour uses as much water as a family would typically need in an entire day.
• Bucket and sponge for your car: Using a bucket and sponge to wash your car can save hundreds of litres of water compared to using a hose or power washer.
• Turn off the tap: Brushing your teeth with the tap running wastes up to six litres of water per minute. Turning it off while brushing can reduce that to just one litre.
• Switch to a shower: Showers use about half the amount of water as baths. Invest in water saving appliances such as water efficient taps and shower heads.
• Shorter showers: With the average shower using seven litres of water per minute by turning your five-minute shower into four minutes, you could save up to seven litres of water per day!
• Fully load your appliances: Always ensure your dishwasher and washing machine are fully loaded before use. A typical washing machine uses approximately 65 litres of water, and a dishwasher uses around 20 litres per cycle. By ensuring they are fully loaded, not only will you conserve water, but you will also reduce your energy bills.

“We’re committed to ensuring a reliable water supply throughout the summer months, and the support of our customers is an important element to achieve this. In the days and weeks ahead, we would appeal to customers to take the opportunity to really consider their water usage and reflect on the daily and easy actions they can take to play their part in ensuring our water resources are used wisely and in a way which benefits, not only your own household but also the wider community,” said Margaret Attridge, Uisce Éireann’s Head of Water Operations.

“While the warmer weather is certainly a welcome change, it does place additional demands on our water supplies. That is why we are asking people to join us in making small changes in their own daily routine to help conserve water. Simple steps can have a big impact in helping to maintain water reserves. Whether it is using a watering can in the garden, or turning off the tap while brushing your teeth, every individual action counts, and all adds up to making a positive contribution to benefit everyone,” concluded Margaret.

Commenting further, broadcaster Kathryn Thomas said, “It is important that we all consider our water usage habits not just during the summer months but all year round. Simple changes can have a real impact and collectively we can all help maintain our water resources.”

For those looking to track their progress and learn more about water conservation, Uisce Éireann has developed an easy-to-use conservation calculator, which allows people to track their personal water usage. To access the water conservation calculator or find out more about water conservation tips visit www.water.ie/conservation.

 

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Over Half Of GAA Fans Claim Match Day Atmosphere And Standing For Anthem Among Championship Golden Moments

• Hope and pride in county team run high for three quarters of fans (75%)
• Putting on the county colours a highlight for three in every ten (32%)
• Findings revealed in new research exploring the Golden Moments of Gaelic Games
• Offaly’s 1994 All-Ireland Hurling win, Dubs’ six-in-a-row, Cork Ladies All-Ireland wins and Galway Camogie among the highlights for fans

Over half (56%) of GAA fans claim that the excitement of being at the game and cheering on their side coupled with standing for the national anthem before throw-in are among their golden moments in the championship season. A further three quarters of fans (75%) say they feel a huge sense of pride and hope when they see their county team in action.

The findings are revealed in new research from Solgar, official vitamin partner of the GAA/GPA and partner of the GAA Museum to mark the launch of its Golden Moments campaign which celebrates the passion, excitement, joy and uniqueness of Gaelic Games and what it means for both fans and players alike.

The survey revealed the strong connection GAA fans feel to their county team with over three in every ten (32%) describing putting on the county colours as a match day golden moment, while a fifth (21%) enjoyed the ritual of finding their seat in the stand and settling in before throw-in. That sense of excitement and being part of the match day crowd was strong among three in ten (29%) of 18–24-year-olds but interestingly rose, even higher (50%) among those aged 44-54. Over a quarter of the same cohort also claimed Jones Road on All-Ireland finals day as their match day golden moment.

The survey also showed the lengths GAA fans will go to in support of their team, with over one in every ten (13%) decorating or painting the house in the county colours while one fifth combined, have either travelled across continents (13%) or cancelled their holiday plans (12%) to see their county in action. Interestingly, over one in every ten (11%) of 18–24-year-olds got a tattoo to celebrate their team’s performance in the championship.

When it came to championship golden moments fans highlighted the Offaly hurlers winning the 1994 All-Ireland in dramatic fashion against Limerick as well as Clare hurlers winning the 1995 All-Ireland and ending an 81-year wait. The Dubs clinching their sixth consecutive All-Ireland in 2020 also ranked highly. Also included were the All-Ireland winning exploits of Laois Ladies footballers in 2001, after seven championship losses; the All-Ireland championship winning run of Cork Ladies who claimed 11 titles between 2005-16 and Galway Camogie claiming All-Ireland honours in 2013.

Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin, Galway hurler Joe Canning and Dublin footballer Stephen Cluxton were ranked among the most iconic GAA players with Mayo Ladies footballer Cora Staunton and Kilkenny Camogie player Katie Power also featuring.

Solgar’s Golden Moments features Solgar ambassadors Paul Conroy, Galway football; Katie Quirke, Cork Ladies Football along with Galway legend Michael Meehan and Cork’s 10 times All-Ireland championship winner Val Mulcahy. All four have come together to share their unique insights and experiences of representing both club and county; what it means to pull on the club and county jersey and share personal golden moments from their playing careers. To watch go to https://youtu.be/V3NfxYR8mSk

Natalia Lobetska, Solgar said: “We are delighted, as part of our partnership with the GAA/GPA and GAA Museum to announce Golden Moments – an exciting new campaign which celebrates the richness of Ireland’s national games, showcases the unique connection between fans and their county team and highlights the passion, commitment and dedication by the players who represent club and county. We are particularly pleased to have the opportunity to work with Solgar ambassadors Paul and Katie and to also hear the amazing insights of two true GAA legends Michael and Val.

“Gaelic games are full of many rich, memorable and iconic moments. We wanted to celebrate that, capturing the unique insights and stories of our players and legends, learn more about that feeling of pulling on the club or county jersey and what it means to play on the biggest stage, representing your county. Gaelic games are all about Golden Moments, whether you are a fan or a player.”