Damien Dempsey releases Christmas song with all profits going to Focus Ireland

Damien Dempsey has dropped the new Christmas song 'Failte Abhaile (Welcome Home)' via Believe Records on Monday, November 28th, with all proceeds from the track going to Focus Ireland.

The Dublin-based non-profit organisation provides services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Ireland.

Today saw the release of the accompanying music video by Focus Ireland - watch below.

The powerful song reaches out to the Irish diaspora and invites them to return home for Christmas. It was written by Damien Dempsey, long term musical collaborator and producer John Reynolds and Gary Brown.

Artwork by Maser.

Brown explained: "The song is an expression of Welcome to all Irish people, whether they be at home or abroad, who during these last few years of covid may not have been able to get home for Christmas to see their loved ones."

'Failte Abhaile' is described as "a true Irish welcome. A welcome home for one and all for Christmas." Thus, the lyric include references to places in the North, South, East and West of Ireland, highlighting the Failte that awaits Irish people in all their individual counties.

Pat Dennigan of Focus Ireland thanked Dempsey for his support. "Damien is one of the country’s most talented musicians and has been a great supporter of Focus Ireland over the years," he said.

"This beautiful song gives a poignant message at a time when over 3,500 children will spend Christmas in emergency accommodation. Everyone thinks about going home for Christmas but over 11,000 people have no home to go to this year.

"Damien like many people across the country knows this is wrong and I would encourage everyone to buy this song via the music platform of your choice and this will help raise vital funds for our services and housing across the country," he added.

People can donate by texting HOMELESS to 50300 to give €4 and Focus Ireland will receive a minimum of €3.60.

The artwork for the single has been donated by celebrated Irish graphic artist Maser, who embodies the centric spirit of contemporary visual art in Ireland.

Focus Ireland was founded by Sister Stanislaus Kennedy in 1985, and remains one of the largest housing and homelessness organisations in the country.

Watch the music video for 'Failte Abhaile (Welcome Home)' by Damien Dempsey below.