2023 Focus Ireland Christmas Concert raises spirits for Homeless Services

2023 Focus Ireland Christmas Concert – Grainne Madigan , Focus Ireland, Mayor of Limerick Councillor Gerald Mitchell, Katie Sheehan, MC, Maura McMahon, Focus Ireland and Emer O’Flathery, Iarnród Éireann, Sponsor attending the Focus Ireland Christmas Concert of Hope 2023 at St Mary’s Cathedral

2023 Focus Ireland Christmas Concert took place at Saint Mary’s Cathedral

Well known and much loved local performers sang their hearts  out in the beautiful surroundings of Saint Mary’s Cathedral for the 2023 Focus Ireland Christmas Concert. 

The concert was held in aid of Focus Ireland proudly sponsored by Iarnród Éireann. The performers included Soprano Eve Stafford, Brazilian Baritone Lucas Nogueira Mary Immaculate College Community Choir, Los Paddys, Scoil Chríost Rí Boys National School, Capriccio String Quartet, and Ukealadies.

The concert was hosted by popular radio presenter Katie Sheehan. There was something for everyone’s musical tastes on the night, with popular Christmas favourites such as Merry Christmas, Fairytale Of New York, The Christmas Song and many others. There was a beautiful finale to the Concert with all performers singing O Holy Night. There were many superb spot prize donations from local businesses; Iarnród Éireann, Adare Manor Golf Club, Bord Gáis, Clayton Hotel Limerick, Bellissimo Limerick, Hogans Pharmacy, Killarney Hardware, Supervalu Castletroy.

All funds raised from this Christmas Concert will help Focus Ireland to provide continued support to families and individuals at risk of homelessness, and help those already directly impacted. Focus Ireland provide services for people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness. Now more than ever the organization needs more donations with the number of homeless people escalating month on month;13,179 people are currently homeless nationally, of which 3,991 are children.

Speaking at the event, Grainne Madigan, Manager Mid-West Youth Housing & Community Integration Team said: “The money that is raised here tonight goes such a long way to be able to  assign a staff member to each household, in order to provide practical and emotional support, to create a supportive environment to allow empowerment for each customer on their journey out of homelessness and to successfully access a place that they can call home and live life to their full potential. With that I would like to thank each one of you for your kind support tonight in helping us with our fundraising efforts.

Our services in Limerick and Clare are currently working with 634 households, which includes 192 families with 384 child dependents.  The organization is providing 281 units of accommodation across Limerick and Clare.  Over 90 of which are long term secure family homes and with the remainder accommodating singles and mixed adults households.  Without your continued support this would not be possible.”

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