FOCUS Ireland is turning up the volume in a bid to end homelessness as latest figures show 760 people are living in emergency accommodation in Cork city and county.

Cork musicians, schools and communities are being asked to join the positive demonstration on May 1st as Focus Ireland launches its awareness and fundraising campaign.

The initiative will see musicians, singers, DJs, choirs and community groups organise performances – with primary schools invited to assemble in their gym hall to help combat child homelessness.

Figures show a total of 128 families, including 252 children, are now homeless across Cork and Kerry.

In 2025, Focus Ireland supported 120 households, including 50 families, through tenancies in Cork.

A total of 86 adults and 69 children were provided long term housing while 15 young people were accommodated in youth housing, while 24 people were helped to exit homelessness.

Young Cork musician Jamie Nolan, from Bandon, is performing in Mahon Point Shopping Centre on Friday May 1 as part of Make Some Noise.

He hopes to raise €1,000 for Focus Ireland. 

‘All I ask is that people donate, even if it’s just one euro as anything helps.

All funds go towards stopping homelessness in Ireland,’ he said.

West Cork based Paul Flatman is also supporting Make Some Noise, and will be performing in his home town, Schull on Saturday May 2 hoping to raise some funds. 

He said: ‘I’ll be scratching away on my fiddle all day outside the local supermarket in Schull. People are always incredibly kind and generous, in part, I think, because we all recognise the enormity of this national problem. It’s energising to feel that you might, in some small way, be doing something that helps.’

Focus Ireland CEO, Pat Dennigan, said: ‘At Focus Ireland, we want to end child homelessness, but we know that we can’t do it alone. We are delighted to

be working with Cork’s Red FM and together we want to Make Some Noise and raise funds for Focus Ireland on Friday May 1.

‘We know that homelessness affects people right across the country, with a record number of children experiencing the disruption to their education, development, and family life caused by living in emergency accommodation. This is wrong.’

Presenters across Bauer Media’s regional radio stations are encouraging listeners to sign up, organise gigs and support performers in their local area.

Focus Ireland hopes the Make Some Noise campaign will create a nationwide movement using music to help end child homelessness for good.

To sign up, organise a gig or donate, visit www.focusireland.ie.