Spirit of Mother Jones Festival 2024

Congratulations to Cork singer/musician Martin Leahy who on Thursday 16th May 2024 completed two years of travelling from Cork to Dáil Eireann in Dublin where he sings his own composition ‘Everyone Should Have a Home’.

Martin’s song was described recently in the Guardian newspaper as the “soundtrack” for the housing crisis in Ireland. With a huge lack of affordable property to buy and rents spiralling in Ireland, many young people are finding it virtually impossible to put a roof over their heads. Homelessness was brought home to Martin himself when he received an eviction notice in 2022.

That was resolved but then he decided to write his well known song as a protest against Government policy which allowed a huge shortage of affordable homes to arise for an increasing population through the failure to construct social housing, and the provision of financial incentives for vulture funds and increased interest rates.

Martin remains resilient and determined to continue his protest outside the gates of the Irish Parliament each Thursday as his contribution to highlighting this huge failure which prevents young people from acquiring a place of their own to buy or rent.

Martin Leahy will sing ‘Everyone Should Have a Home’ and more at the Mother Jones Plaque on Saturday evening 27th July at around 6pm. His appearance last year attracted an enormous crowd to the annual toast to Mother Jones using her favourite tipple which takes place at the conclusion of each year’s festival. All are welcome to join us on Saturday evening.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/article/2024/may/11/it-was-an-act-of-desperation-irish-singer-on-his-housing-crisis-protest-anthem