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Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Cork protest attracts hundreds frustrated with housing costs – ‘Everyone was under the same banner'
The Raise the Roof protest was comprised of people from Munster and further afield who made their way to Cork to protest against Ireland's worsening housing crisis. Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, told The Corkman that those in attendance, despite coming from various backgrounds, marched as one. 'There was a really good crowd and a great cross section of trade unions, opposition parties on the left, some members of the Traveller community as well,' Deputy Gould said. 'Thousands of people marched, and they didn't just march under the tricolour. 'They marched under every flag from different political parties, all the different unions and the Travellers had their flag. 'A lot of people used their voice on the day.' According to the House Price Report for Quarter 2 of 2025, released on Monday, June 23, the average house price in Cork county is €325,999 while the average house price in Cork city is €369,938. In the county, house prices were 12pc higher in Q2 than the same time last year, while city prices increased by 8.6pc in a year. The report stated that house prices in Cork county are 44.4pc higher now compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic. House prices have risen by 32.6pc in Cork city, since before the pandemic. Mr Gould said the figures are 'another blow' for young people and their families. ADVERTISEMENT 'Today's report shows that home ownership is not a viable option in Cork for many of these people either. The price of buying a home is now so far out of the reach of most ordinary people in Cork, they may as well plan for a trip to Mars,' he said. '12 months ago, housing was unaffordable. Today, it is astronomical and entirely out of reach of most people in this state,' he added. Mr Gould said the Raise the Roof protest in Cork has shown the 'fight back' has begun. 'We saw people come out in Cork this weekend to say enough is enough. We need to build on that momentum. We need to offer young people a chance at hope and a future here. They are our future. We cannot continue to wave them off from airports,' he stated. Cork singer Martin Leahy performed at the protest. He performed his song 'Everyone Should Have A Home', which is his own personal protest to the housing crisis. Mr Leahy has performed his song outside the Dáil for the past three years. He described the Cork protest as 'cohesive', and energising. 'It felt very cohesive, and it was great that everyone was under the same banner,' the singer said. 'I felt energised by being there, and it is always good to put [the song] out there in front of people. 'Everything that I would like to say to people, I talk about in my song, so it's always good to play it in front of a crowd.' Mr Leahy has attended and performed at several housing demonstrations over the years, and he said it feels like protesters are 'building towards something'. 'There has been a lot of big protests happening in the last while, and it is great that they are happening,' he said. 'I would love to see them continue because it really does feel like we are building towards something.'
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
John Spillane among Cork musicians to perform as part of ‘Raise the Roof' demonstration
Thousands of people are expected to gather in Cork city centre for a cross-party, trade union-led rally to protest against the housing crisis. The 'Raise the Roof' rally, which is being organised by a coalition of trade unions and left wing parties including Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, Solidarity/People Before Profit, and the Workers' Party, will take place at 2pm at the National Monument on the Grand Parade. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions have confirmed details of the musical acts for the Munster Raise the Roof rally. Cork musicians John Spillane and Martin Leahy will join the Cork housing rally and they will provide live music as part of the demonstration. Martin wrote the song Everyone Should Have A Home as a personal response to the housing crisis after being served with an eviction notice in early 2022 as the landlord wanted to sell the property in Bandon. Mr Leahy has travelled to Dublin every week since May 2022 to stage a protest highlighting the homelessness crisis. He began this unique form of protest as a way to shine a spotlight on Ireland's housing crisis. John Spillane, who grew up in Wilton, is one of the country's most lauded singer-songwriters. The musician performed with bands such as The Stargazers and Nomos before carving out a solo career, starting with his 1997 solo album The Wells Of The World. Spillane, who still lives in Cork is a two-time Meteor Award winner for Best Folk/Trad Act. His songs have been covered by performers including Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, and Sean Keane. There will be short speeches and live music at the National Monument before the crowd will march to Cornmarket Street. Cork Council of Trade Unions representative Joe Kelly said: 'I'm delighted that John Spillane and Martin Leahy will be joining us for the demonstration. I know that there is deep frustration across the country at successive governments' failure to get to grips with the housing crisis. 'Rents are continuing to skyrocket, and home ownership is moving beyond the reach of a whole generation of young people. This is our chance to show that frustration, and I hope to see as strong a turnout as possible,' he added. Raise the Roof is comprised of trade unions, housing and homeless agencies, women's groups, political parties, representatives of older people, children's advocacy groups, community organisations, student unions, Traveller groups, housing academics and experts.
Irish Independent
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘I was one of the hidden homeless' – Cork singer shares his story as he marks three years of Dáil protest
Martin Leahy wrote his song Everyone Should Have A Home as a personal protest to the housing crisis, performing it outside the Dáil each year for the past three years A Cork singer will mark the third anniversary of his weekly housing-crisis protest outside the Dáil with a rendition of his song inspired by personal events. The event will also feature words from guest speakers including Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing Eoin Ó Broin TD, Social Democrats spokesperson for housing, local government and heritage Rory Hearne TD, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy on May 15.
