Sunday Independent’s ‘Rock Against Homelessness’ supporting Focus Ireland, has achieved a sold-out success for its tenth anniversary show, raising an incredible €50,000 to assist the most vulnerable in our communities.

Taking place tonight, February 7th, at the iconic 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin, the event will feature an extraordinary lineup of talent. Damien Dempsey headlines the show, joined by special guests Pillow Queens, Zeztra, Jyellowl, and Pastiche. Adding a touch of theatre and charm, actor Aidan Gillen will serve as the MC for the evening.

This milestone year for Rock Against Homelessness underscores a decade of commitment to combating homelessness in Ireland through music, community, and generosity. Every ticket purchased contributes directly to the life-changing work of Focus Ireland, helping to provide housing solutions and essential support services. “We are thrilled to see such overwhelming support for this cause,” said a representative from Focus Ireland. “The funds raised tonight will make a tangible difference for families and individuals facing homelessness.” 

Organiser of the concerts throughout that decade, Barry Egan of the Sunday Independent said:  “We are, of course, very proud that all 1600 tickets are gone – not surprising with such powerful acts like Damo and Pillow Queens, Zeztra, Jyellow and Pastiche performing and one of Ireland’s greatest actors Aidan Gillen presenting. 

Rock Against Homelessness in aid of Focus Ireland at the 3 Olympia’s success is tempered by the fact that during those ten years of the show almost 60,000 people have been homeless in Ireland. And worse, for such a so-called modern country there are currently over 14,000 people homeless, and over 4,700 children without a home. That’s fairly damning of this nation of ours.”

“It doesn’t, however, stop me for one second thanking most sincerely the artists who have played Rock Against Homelessness since we started – from Fontaines DC to Kneecap,  Dermot Kennedy to Imelda May, Paul Brady, Mary Wallopers, The Boomtown Rats, Glen Hansard and Camille O’Sullivan. Nor those depressing homeless figures don’t stop me from saying how very, very grateful I am to everyone at 3Olympia Theatre for their continued support. It was Denis Desmond and Caroline Downey, proprietors of the venue, who first supported this idea ten years ago and who has been supporting it ever since, giving us the 3 Olympia for free. And of course, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible. Special thanks to Eoin Kellett of Cadbury, Joey Wynne of Arachas Insurance, and Celine Gilmer of Hard Rock Café and Starbucks for their unwavering support and years of sponsorship.”

Damien Dempsey added: “We’re standing in the middle of a crisis that should shame this country to its core. Nearly 15,000 people without a home, over 4,500 children growing up in limbo, robbed of the safety and dignity every child deserves.

The people out on the streets and in emergency accommodation tonight aren’t just numbers—they’re our neighbours, our brothers and sisters, victims of a system that’s failed them. We need action, not excuses. We need homes, we need change. 

This gig is about solidarity and hope. If we don’t fight for each other, who will? We won’t stop singing, shouting, or demanding change until homelessness is not just reduced, but ended—for good. No one left behind. That’s the Ireland we should be building.”

Aidan Gillen says “The homelessness situation in Ireland is at a level it’s never been at before, anyone walking through the streets of our cities can see that- it would be really hard not to- people in sleeping bags and tents on streets, parks, by canals. Queueing up for food in the middle of the night in the middle of winter. And then there’s all of it which you can’t see, whole families including thousands of kids living in emergency accommodation, in hostels, even cars. While we work out exactly what can be best done about this, and actually doing it, it’s important not to stop talking about it and not to dehumanise or stigmatize the ever growing number of people who find themselves in this situation. The Rock against Homelessness event raises awareness of, and money for groups like Focus Ireland who have for many years now been working tirelessly addressing this issue, offering support, real long term solutions and hope while keeping the conversation current, and pushing the statistics out there in the public realm, making them harder to ignore or deny.

Pillow Queens echoed this sentiment: “The homelessness crisis in Ireland is a disgrace. No one should be left without a safe place to live, yet the government has continuously failed to address it properly. It’s infuriating to see so many people struggling while those in power drag their feet. We’re grateful this show has sold out because it shows how much people care—but it shouldn’t be down to charity and community efforts to fix something that should never have been allowed to reach this point.”

At the end of the evening’s performances, Damien Dempsey will raffle off a signed acoustic guitar that he will be playing during the show, in the hope to raise even more funds.

Rock Against Homelessness in aid of Focus Ireland at the 3 Olympia is sponsored by Cadbury, Arachas Insurance, Hard Rock Café and Starbucks.