O’Connor to perform at Mad Pride fundraiser

Outspoken singer Sinéad O’Connor has joined forces with Mad Pride Ireland for a fundraising gig in Cork.

The star, who has spoken openly about her own mental health issues, has waived her fee and agreed to perform in Triskel Christchurch on Oct 19 to help raise funds for the mental health lobby group.

The head of Mad Pride Ireland, David McCarthy, said he is delighted she agreed to the gig.

“I think she liked our approach to normalising attitudes to madness.

“We aren’t afraid to speak out with an alternative voice and criticise,” he said.

Mad Pride Ireland was founded by his late father, John, who died last January. John strove to promote understanding of the issues surrounding mental health, which he hoped would lead to the normalisation of madness as just another health issue.

His Mad Pride Day family-fun events, which began in Cork, now takes place in several centres around the country.

David said: “We show the world that madness is an everyday occurrence that affects us all and can be dealt with openly, lovingly and without fear.

“Have we opened the national debate on mental health? We sure have. We are deadly serious in our intent, while so open in our approach.”

Funds raised by O’Connor’s gig will help Mad Pride Ireland develop several projects, including its DIY Mental Health pilot project. It will run, in conjunction with the HSE, in Beara and an as yet to be identified city location.

It hopes to harness community groups to identify mental health issues in their locality, and develop local responses.

O’Connor will be supported by the Ger Wolfe Trio and Cork-based singer songwriter Niamh Brady.

* Tickets available from www.triskelartscentre.ie