Step up, sing out and use your voice to help end homelessness. The Big Busk for Focus Ireland, proudly supported by Today FM, is coming to Galway’s Eyre Square Shopping Centre on Friday March 7, giving Galway musicians and performers the chance to play a part in the fight to end Ireland’s homelessness crisis.
Now in its fourth year, and being staged live for the first time in Galway, Focus Ireland is once again partnering with Today FM for The Big Busk which aims to tackle the rising homelessness crisis through the power of music and performance.
Every day, Focus Ireland works tirelessly to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness rebuild their lives. The charity provides essential support services, secure housing for families and individuals, and campaigns for systemic solutions to the homelessness and housing crisis nationwide.
Busking events in aid of Focus Ireland will be held across the country on Friday March 7. The charity, in partnership with Today FM, is now calling for Galway’s talented buskers, bands, musicians, choirs, singers, community groups and schools – whether they are solo artists, or part of a group – to join in The Big Busk and help raise funds for their vital homeless services.
Participants can sign up for The Big Busk in Galway’s Eyre Square Shopping Centre on Friday March 7, or take part in one of Focus Ireland’s busking events in Cork, Galway or Limerick. Alternatively, performers can organise their own Big Busk and host their own event with family, friends, colleagues or neighbours in their local community, at a location of their choosing, or even online. You can also support by donating at todayfm.com/busk The most recent Department of Housing figures show that during Christmas week, December 23 - 29, 2024, almost 270 adults (268 ) were accessing emergency accommodation in Galway City and County. A total 420 adults in the West (Galway, Mayo, Roscommon ) including 117 families and 225 children were accessing emergency accommodation during the same period.
Since 2022, The Big Busk for Focus Ireland, proudly supported by Today FM, has raised over €1 million in funds for Focus Ireland’s services nationwide. On Friday March 7, the charity and national broadcaster, aim to add even more to this impressive tally.
Hundreds of performers around the country are set to take part in this year's Big Busk which will also feature a Super Focused Set Listof songs requested by people who have been supported by Focus Ireland. Big Busk performers are invited to include some of the songs in their busking set, with a dedication to the person who requested it.
Last year’s Big Busk, in partnership with Today FM, featured a live broadcast of the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, from Galway business, Evergreen Health Foods, who bid a whopping €28,000 to get Iano and his award-winning breakfast show team down to Galway on Big Busk Day. The event also featured a surprise pop up performance by musician Gavin James, on the Big Busk bus outside the Hardiman Hotel, to help raise more funds for Focus Ireland.
Speaking about this year’s Big Busk, Today FM presenter Ray Foley said Galway is a city rich with musical talent and that he wants to see as many buskers and musicians as possible take part in The Big Busk in Eyre Square Shopping Centre.
"All you have to do is go to todayfm.com/busk to sign up and fundraise for The Big Busk for Focus Ireland and play your part in ending homelessness today.”
Launching The Big Busk 2025, Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said that for 40 years, Focus Ireland has been a lifeline for thousands of people during the toughest of times, helping ensure that they can stay in their homes, or find and keep a new home. We believe everyone has the right to a place to call home. Not just a roof over our heads, but a place where we feel settled, safe, and secure. A place where we can build our lives and our futures. Yet, today in Ireland, too many people are affected by this crisis. Over 55,000 people have experienced homelessness in the past decade.
“By securing homes for individuals and families, we take significant steps towards addressing the wider homelessness crisis. Every person or family housed is a victory. It's a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and collective action. By supporting our work through events like The Big Busk, you’re helping to provide support services, secure housing and advocate for change. Join us and play your part by supporting The Big Busk for Focus Ireland. Sign up and perform to raise funds or donate to support our mission. Together, we can end homelessness.”
Musician and busker, Saibh Skelly, who is signed to Rubyworks records, took part in the Big Busk last year. She said, “Being part of the Big Busk was a great buzz and I’d encourage musicians and buskers everywhere to get involved this year. The homelessness crisis in Ireland is worse now than ever before but The Big Busk offers a positive way to raise funds for vital homeless services and do something to help those experiencing homelessness in Ireland. It’s so easy to sign up and fundraise or host your own busking event and it would be great to see even more funds being raised for Focus Ireland this year.”
If you’re a musician, singer, busker or part of a music group or choir, you can make a difference to the lives of people experiencing the trauma of homelessness by performing at The Big Busk on Friday March 7.
Sign up and join Focus Ireland and Today FM at one of their events in Cork, Dublin, Galway or Limerick or host your own event and show your support for people experiencing homelessness.
Big Busk performances will take place throughout Friday March 7, from 11am to 7pm:
????Cork - Marina Market (11am-7pm )
????Dublin - Blanchardstown Centre (12pm-7pm )
????Dublin - Dundrum Town Centre (11am-6pm )
????Galway - Eyre Square Shopping Centre (11am-6pm )
????Limerick - Crescent Shopping Centre (11am-6pm )
For further information, and to take part visit todayfm.com/busk / thebigbusk.focusireland.ie or email busk@focusireland.ie
