STEP up, sing out and use your voice to help end homelessness – The Big Busk for Focus Ireland is back next month, giving musicians across the island the chance to play a part in the fight to end Ireland’s homelessness crisis.
Homelessness charity Focus Ireland is partnering with Today FM for the fourth year of the event, which will take place on Friday March 7, aka Big Busk Day, and aims to raise awareness about the rising levels of homelessness through the power of music and performance.
This year’s Big Busk will find more busking events taking place across the country than ever before. Participants have the chance to be named Ireland’s Next Big Busker and secure a recording session with Today FM, which will be broadcasting live from Dublin, Cork and Kildare on Big Busk Day.
Ireland is in the grip of a homelessness crisis
Focus Ireland and Today FM are still calling for Ireland’s buskers, bands, musicians, choirs, singers, community groups and schools nationwide – 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.
Launching The Big Busk 2025, Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said: “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.
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“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.
Today FM presenters Louise Cantillon, Ian Dempsey and Alison Curtis launching The Big Busk for Focus Ireland which takes nationwide on March 7 (Mark Stedman)
“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.”
Today FM presenters Matt Cooper and Louise Cantillon with busker Saibh Skelly for 2024’s event
Participants can sign up for The Big Busk at one of Focus Ireland’s busking events in Cork, Dublin, Galway or Limerick.
Alternatively, performers can organise their own Big Busk with family, friends, colleagues or neighbours in their local community, at a location of their choosing – and even online.
Since 2022, the Today FM-sponsored Big Busk for Focus Ireland has raised over €1 million in funds for Focus Ireland’s services nationwide.
“The Big Busk is a really positive way to help end homelessness,” says Today FM presenter, Ian Dempsey.
“I’m looking forward to kick-starting the day on March 7, broadcasting live from Celtic Horizons Tours in Maynooth, who won the Big Bid to get me and the Breakfast Show team down to their business, by donating a fantastic €21,000 to Focus Ireland.”
If you’re a musician and want to be in with a chance of being crowned Ireland’s Next Big Busker, enter online before February 28th via todayfm.com/busk.
The overall winner will be announced by Matt Cooper live on The Last Word on Friday March 7.