CMAT's housing single strikes a chord with young people
The Co Meath artist's single EURO-COUNTRY dropped on Tuesday - the same day the Taoiseach described housing as the "defining social challenge of our time".
EURO-COUNTRY tells the story of the 2008 financial crash from CMAT's perspective as a child in a small town living through the consequences of the Celtic Tiger's collapse.
The song includes the lyrics: "All the big boys/All the Berties/All the envelopes, yeah they hurt me/I was 12 when the das started killing themselves all around me/And it was normal/Building houses that stay empty even now."
The track has hit home with people who were children when the Celtic Tiger came to an end and are now in their 20s and 30s.
Many people have been posting on TikTok about how this 'anthem' resonates with them.
"The anxieties that she has are anxieties that I often have living in Ireland," said Memphis Zuza, a 21-year-old student at NCAD.
Darragh Greene is a content creator and musician living in Turkey. He said it's a bittersweet time to be a young person in Ireland.
Darragh said he emigrated due to the cost of living here and the opportunities elsewhere.
"I think this single is a good mix of emotions. The frustration, anger and unjust that young Irish people feel towards their government and the economy while also having a real love for the country," he said.
"I don't see a future where I'm based in Ireland."
Andrew Corkery, 26, works in retail. He said that young people feel neglected by the Government.
Living in his family home, he said "he can't even fathom" moving out of his childhood bedroom.
"As young people, we have been sidelined, shafted and completely neglected by the Government.
"We are essentially locked out of having a sustainable future," Andrew said.
Earlier this year, a major survey of 25-year-olds revealed the impact of the economic recession on their lives.
The 'Growing Up in Ireland' survey found that more than six in ten (62%) young people were still living with parents for mostly financial reasons.
Just over one third (34.2%) of respondents said they had difficulties making ends meet.
One in eight of the people contacted to take part in the survey had emigrated.
CMAT's single may be new but the issues it tackles have been in the minds of young Ireland for a while.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Irish Sun
‘So loved already', declares mum-to-be Terrie McEvoy as she prepares to welcome second child with ‘glowing' baby shower
IRISH influencer Terrie McEvoy has shared snaps from her cute baby shower - and it had the most adorable theme. The star and her husband David Fitzpatrick, who she married in in 2019, recently announced they were expecting their second child together. 3 Terrie McEvoy glows in newly shared snap from her baby shower 3 Terrie had a paint and prosecco themed shower 3 Terrie and her husband posed for cute snaps at the party The happy couple are already parents to their three-year-old daughter Sydney . As their due date steadily approaches, the pair decided to throw a baby shower with their nearest and dearest. The beauty guru shared snaps from the wholesome day on her READ MORE IN TERRIE MCEVOY The Irish star captured a photo of a long table full of her closest friends and family all sitting and painting. The ladies looked happy as ever as they all smiled and held up their prosecco glasses. Terrie was a vision on the day as she opted for a stunning stone-coloured maxi dress with a dropped waistline and bardot-styled top. The style queen also had her brunette hair styled in a gorgeous up do. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN The mum-to-be was glowing as she posed for pictures with her hubby and their little one. David sweetly put his arm around Terrie while she held her daughter's hand. Katja Mia enjoys trip to France The doting mum also posted a snap of herself snuggling Sydney in their kitchen during the party. Later on, Terrie managed showcased a selection of the group's final paintings - and fans were been left shocked at the artistic skills. Terrie showed off her hidden talent as she managed to paint a squirrel that looked almost lifelike. The Dublin native couldn't help but gush over the magical day spent with her loved ones. SPECIAL DAY She wrote in her caption: "A house filled with love and laughter today for my baby shower! "We count our blessings every single day for the incredible people in our lives! Thank you all so much for making it so special, especially for Sydney and for those who couldn't make it, we love you tooooo! "You are SO loved already baby boy!!" And fans all flocked to the comment section to swoon over the star's special day. Katie wrote: "This is so beautiful!! SHOCKED at your hidden talent." Christina said: "Gorgeous photos Terrie!" Shauna added: "Sorry, since when are you a professional artist?!! WOW!!! And you are gorgeous as always." Chris penned: "Ah, brilliant, congratulations, it looked like a lovely day." And Claire remarked: "Absolutely beautiful Terrie, you're glowing so much."
Irish Independent
2 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
‘Independence for Clonmel' amid debate to revive borough councils
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Deputy Murphy said that the Clonmel Borough dates back to 1608, and that it should be reestablished under the Government's Local Democracy Taskforce. "There has been some soundings from the Taoiseach in particular, and I know during the General Election back in November when he visited Drogheda, he said on the record that the abolition of borough councils, and indeed many of the town councils, was a mistake,' Deputy Murphy said. "Now that the Government has established this Local Democracy Taskforce that I felt that it's really important to keep this on the agenda … I spent 15 years as a local councillor, I'm a strong advocate for local government,' he added. "I genuinely believe that in terms of many of the challenges we face at a national level, that some of these challenges can only be truly solved with the meaningful involvement of local government and local authorities'. The Local Democracy Taskforce commits to reforming and strengthening local government, as outlined in the programme for Government. According to Deputy Murphy, the abolition of Clonmel Borough Council, as well as the amalgamation of North and South Tipperary County Councils in 2014 had a 'huge' impact on Clonmel. "I felt that the power base switched to Nenagh and I did call for independence for Clonmel,' he said. The restoration of the borough council would allow monies made in Clonmel to be reinvested back into the town, the Fine Gael deputy said, and would ensure that the town could benefit. "Clonmel is really strong, we have a lot of commercial rate payers here and there's a real concern about the lack of transparency in terms of all these monies going into a centralised pot and how much of it is coming back to Clonmel? 'Parking charges is another example, I think in terms of Tipperary, 50% of all parking charges is raised in Clonmel, and I don't think it's sustainable, so that's why I'll continue to champion independence for Clonmel and the restoration of the borough council,' Deputy Murphy said. ADVERTISEMENT 'I have faith in Tipperary County Council and I do have confidence, and I'm a strong advocate for local government, and while we can often be critical of Tipperary County Council, at the same time I think they do get an awful lot right,' he explained. Highlighting the issue of a lack of resources from central Government for local authorities, Deputy Murphy said that's another issue that needs to be addressed. "I think one of the failings of Tipperary County Council is the extent to which we're resourced at the national level and whatever about the reestablishment of the boroughs, which is basically financial independence for towns like Clonmel, there's a separate issue as well and that's the extent to which local authorities are financed at the national level and that more than anything impacts on Tipperary County Council's ability to do its job,' Deputy Murphy added.
Irish Examiner
30 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Why we have a monument to the Duke of Wellington in Tipperary
At the highest point of the Grange Crag Loop in County Tipperary, walkers may be surprised to discover an odd-to-behold structure whose purpose appears to defy rational explanation. To uncover the story of why it was constructed, we must transport ourselves back to the end of the 18th century and a turbulent time in Irish history. Having survived centuries of rebellion and conflict, the Protestant Ascendancy were, at this time, feeling somewhat secure. Having enjoyed 80 years of relative peace, they now felt comfortable enough to assert themselves. Surfing a huge wave of popular enthusiasm and supported by the threat of violence if his demands were not met, Henry Grattan, leader of the Irish Patriot Party, secured an Independent Irish parliament in 1782. Kilcooley House One of his strongest supporters was William Barker of Kilcooley House, County Tipperary. A Whig (Liberal) MP, he also favoured the emancipation of Catholics from penal laws and some easements were immediately granted by the new legislature. This led to fears in Britain that allowing full voting rights for Catholics would create a hostile parliament in Ireland. Then came the French Revolution and the abolition of the hereditary aristocracy in France, with many of its members executed or forced to flee. Drawing upon the egalitarian ideas of revolutionary France, the radical United Irishmen soon espoused a similar idea: a republic where there would be no inherited privilege. The subsequent 1798 rebellion, which was supported by a French invasion of Ireland and had atrocities committed by both sides, shook the Irish aristocracy to its core. With an understandable human desire to keep their heads attached to their bodies, the ascendancy classes were now looking to Britain for safety. If this meant reestablishing a parliamentary union with Britain, it seemed a small price to pay. Forced to flee to England during the 1798 Rebellion, it is perhaps unsurprising that Sir William Barker changed his mind and voted for the perceived security afforded by an Act of Union with Britain. The Wellington Monument in Phoenix Park The fear remained, however, that Napoleon would invade Ireland and create a Catholic state for a Catholic people. Doubtless, a sigh of relief was emitted by the Protestant Ascendancy when 'The Little General' was defeated by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. Monuments to the Duke were built by the much-relieved Irish aristocracy in Dublin's Phoenix Park; in Trim, County Meath; and by Sir William Barker at Grange, County Tipperary. The Wellington Monument, Grange. Picture: John G O'Dwyer To access this Tipperary monument, start from the carpark at the entrance to the Grange Crag Loop, located about six kilometres south of Urlingford. Follow the woodland tracks to reach an incongruous-looking building that once served as the deep freeze for Kilcooley House. Blocks of ice were cut from frozen ponds and transported to what was known as the icehouse, where they were stacked between layers of straw to create a microclimate where food would be preserved. Next, continue to a three-way junction where the arrows lead right. Ascend to another junction, where a sharp left joins a forestry road that ascends for about a kilometre to an intersection where the way is right. View of magnificently carved doorway in south transept at Kilcooly Abbey, County Tipperary. /taken from Ancient Ireland: Exploring Irish Historic Monuments by Tarquin Blake and Fiona Reilly, published by The Collins Press, 2013 Soon after, a track on the left takes you steeply uphill to reach the aforementioned Wellington Monument. Such edifices are generally referred to as follies, but mostly they served a purpose. Not only does this monument commemorate the Duke of Wellington, it also provides a focal point to draw people to a high point where they would be impressed by fine views of the Kilcooley Estate and the nearby Cistercian monastery. A daughter house of Holycross Abbey, it was built on land granted by Donal Mór O'Brien, the last king of Munster but was later dissolved following the English Reformation. Its extensive estates then passed to the Earls of Ormonde until purchased later by the Barker family. Nearby, but almost obscured among woodlands, the great house at Kilcooley was first built in the late 18th century. Now in a sad state of decay, the present-day Palladian mansion dates from 1843 and was constructed after a great fire in 1839 destroyed the original structure. This conflagration began when a butler, who had been dismissed from his employment by the then-owner of Kilcooley, William Barker Ponsonby, set one of the chimneys alight — so the old saying "always keep the butler onside" seems appropriate here. Walkers on Grange Crag Loop. Picture: John G O'Dwyer Soon, the views are obscured when you enter mature broadleaf woodland and swing right to descend by a stream and exit onto a track. Continue (left) following green and purple arrows along the woodland track for almost one kilometre. Follow the walking arrows sharply right and then take the next left, which allows you re-join your outward route after an outing of about two hours. Afterwards, as an added treat, quench your thirst in the old-world charm of Hogan's pub, Grange village.
