Big Busk tunes up to raise money to tackle homelessness crisis

Today FM presenters Louise Cantillon and Matt Cooper with busker Saibh Skelly getting in tune for The Big Busk for Focus Ireland on April 12. Picture: Justin Farrelly

Wed, 10 Apr, 2024 - 14:01

Imasha Costa

Focus Ireland's annual Big Busk will see musicians, choirs, singers, and buskers perform on Friday to raise urgently needed funds for homelessness services.

More than 13,500 people, including more than 4,000 children, are currently homeless in Ireland, according to the latest official figures.

According to the charity, 1,640 families became homeless in the last year, more than 31 families per week or more than four a day.

The Big Busk campaign has raised more than €615,000 so far and will return this Friday across various locations across the country.

Musicians, buskers and performers are being asked to sign up for the event and include some of the songs in their “SuperFocused SetList” across stages in Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny, Limerick and Sligo.

Songs featured on the list have been requested by people who have experienced homelessness and are being supported by Focus Ireland.

It includes Callum Scott’s 'Dancing On My Own', which was requested by Waterford woman Keilie O'Danza.

The 25-year-old was taken into care when she was 10 and says she is still traumatised from when the gardaí arrived at her home with social workers.

Ms O'Danza said she remained upset that she was separated from her younger siblings and feels the familial bonds were broken.

She returned to her family when she turned 18 but said she felt she needed to live alone.

Through the help of Focus Ireland, she was able to secure temporary accommodation and now works as a beautician at a salon in Waterford.

Ms O'Danza said Scott's song “hits right at home”.

“I am a former foster child and I used to see other kids go to new families and I never had that chance,” she said.

“When I was older and in relationships, it was never just me, there was always someone else and even foster homes, it wasn't me they wanted.”

Ms O'Danza is one of thousands of people being supported by Focus Ireland, including 16,000 in 2022 alone. That was an increase from 12,300 people in 2021.

Focus Ireland chief executive Pat Dennigan said the crisis was the worst it had ever been, with a record total of 13,841 people now homeless.

It is heartbreaking that over 4,000 of these people are children. No child should be homeless as Ireland is a wealthy country. We must end this scandalous crisis and we can do so.

Matt Cooper of Today FM, which is involved in the event, added: “The homeless crisis in Ireland is a huge problem that needs addressing, and we need your help to do so.

"We want you to get involved and sign up for The Big Busk for Focus Ireland on April 12 and raise some much-needed funds for this wonderful cause. Get involved and sign up at todayfm.com/busk.”

Live performances for the Big Busk will take place across various venues including Cork’s Marina Market this Friday from 12-7pm.

Other venues include: