Glen Hansard Added To Rock Against Homelessness Line-Up

HamsandwicH, Finbar Furey, The Blizzards, Delorentos, Paul Cleary, Ivy Nations, August Wells – plus special guest hosts Al Porter and Katherine Lynch —will also feature in unique variety concert in aid of Focus Ireland to raise vital funds for Ireland’s most in need: the homeless.

After celebrating their 40th anniversary earlier this year, Boomtown Rats have made their highly anticipated return to Dublin with two special events. Following last Saturday (25th March) concert at the Olympia Theatre, they are ready to take the stage for their second gig to raise vital funds and awareness of the homeless issues.

Also, topping the bill is homeless musician Danny Bracken, accompanied by Paul Brady and Dave Fleming.

This year’s gig follows on from last year’s Rock Against Homelessness sold-out concert which featured Camille O’Sullivan, The Strypes, The Stunning, Something Happens, Mundy, Donal Lunny and many others. Funds raised from the gig last year allowed Focus Ireland support over 300 families to secure a home and leave homelessness last year.

Niamh Farrell of HamsandwicH echoed the sentiments of many when she said: "Homelessness is at a crisis point in Ireland and we all need to stand up and shout as loud as we can that we won't stand for it!
"Everyone deserves a safe, warm space to go to when the day is over and so many people don't have this. "It's wonderful to be able to take part in the Rock Against Homelessness gig and raise much needed funds for focus Ireland. No one should be left out in the cold, we need to reach out and help each other as much as we can."

Focus Ireland Communications Officer Michelle Moran said: ‘’There are now 2,407 children have nowhere to call home in Ireland. It is truly shocking that last month one child became homeless every five hours in Dublin alone. This is unacceptable and wrong and our staff are working every single day with families and individuals to help them overcome the terrible impact being homeless has on them. In such a crisis, events like Rock Against Homelessness help put a spotlight on the issue and raise vital funds for our services to support people who have lost their homes and to prevent people on the brink of homelessness losing their homes.”

She added: "We would like to thank Independent News&Media and all the artists taking part in the concert for supporting our work to end homelessness. Focus Ireland managed to support over 300 families to secure a home and leave homelessness last year and events like this play a key part in helping our work."

While Ro Yourell of Dolocretes says: "With recent figures showing no decline in the numbers of people in Ireland forced to sleep either on the streets or in temporary accommodation, it is imperative that we keep the eradication of homelessness a priority,” said Ro Yourell of Dolocretes.
"I look forward to a day when there'll be no need for charities such as Focus," said Paul Cleary. "In a country as rich as Ireland, a permanent and safe home should be seen as a basic human right, and ought to be provided as a matter of course to all of those in need. A massive government building programme of public housing is required immediately."