Culture
28 Jun 20

Irish Women in Harmony for Safe Ireland: Niamh Farrell

Now We’re Talking: A Town Hall Gathering, an event hosted by Lyons Tea in partnership with Hot Press and Pieta House, the suicide prevention and self-harm crisis charity, at Smock Alley Theatre last night. At the event, a host of people from across the spectrum of Ireland’s public life shared their personal mental health stories over a cup of Lyons tea. The panel of well-known personalities, which included Professor Colin O’Gara of UCD and St. John of Gods, Elaine Austin, CEO Pieta House, Jordanne Jones, Actor, Hannah Tyrell, Rugby International, Fergal D’arcy, Today FM, Sinéad Rafferty, Clinical Manager, Pieta House West, Elaine Crowley Virgin Media, Niall O’Meara, All Ireland Winning Hurler, and rapper God Knows (Rusangano Family), encouraged the Irish public to speak more openly about their mental health to reduce the stigma. The audience were captivated by live performances from duo Saint Sister, poet Stephen James Smith, singer-songwriter Emma Quinn, Delorentos, and Hamsandwich. During October Pieta House will take over packs of Lyons Original 80s, to encourage people to open up and talk about their mental health. These special takeover packs include vital contact information for anyone who needs the services of Pieta House and every pack sold will raise much needed funds so that the charity can continue to offer their services to those in need.

Tanis Smither

Niamh Farrell, lead singer of Hamsandwich, discusses her love for Dolores O'Riordan.

"Dolores was one in a billion," Niamh Farrell tells me. "She was a true individual, and not afraid to just totally be herself. As a woman in music sometimes you might feel like you need to fit into a particular box or be a certain way, but Dolores really didn’t do that at all."

As a lead singer in a rock band herself, these pressures – fitting into a box, being something you aren't for the sake of palatability – make everyday appearances for Farrell. Fighting them off is something she's had to become good at, and Dolores O'Riordan set the example from the beginning. "She was strong and gentle at the same time, she was just herself and that’s the legacy she leaves us with. It’s ok to just be you and be an individual and make no apologies for it."

"I was all in 100% from the beginning," the singer says of being asked to join the Irish Women in Harmony project. "What a beautiful idea RuthAnne had, and she is so amazing for all her hard work getting everyone together on this! The list of women involved is unreal and it’s great to get together and be a part of something that’s hopefully going to raise awareness and plenty of money for Safe Ireland."

Farrell agrees that Safe Ireland is in dire need of support from the community right now. "With the lockdown, people have been forced into situations around the country with no way out and we need to help. The most vulnerable in our society really suffer when the world outside is not accessible and it’s important we don’t forget this.

"I hope people see what we can do when we all work together to raise awareness for Safe Ireland and also how important women are in the music industry in Ireland!"