Limerick musicians release song for charity to honour Dolores O’Riordan’s anniversary

SOME of Limerick's brightest stars across folk, rock and classical music have joined forces on a single to support The Haven Hub, a mental health charity, in urgent need of funding.

They're hoping to open the doors of their one-of-a-kind drop-in centre in Limerick city next month.

The music video, which will release on Wednesday, January 15 on the seventh anniversary of the passing of Dolores O'Riordan, will showcase volunteers from The Haven Hub and Limerick Suicide Watch patrol team. The date marks the start of a massive fundraising campaign to ensure The Haven Hub can open the doors of its Thomondgate centre in February, to support the public during one of the darkest months of the year.

The group urgently need to fundraise for ongoing repairs essential to bringing the centre up to a usable condition. The Haven Hub approached Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford in 2024 to head up the collaborative fundraising project that would unite artists across genres.

Musicians from Limerick and beyond have recorded a cover of The Cranberries Animal Instinct, with the support of Limerick City and County Council, and the blessing of the band and the family of the late Cranberries’ lead singer .

Ms Langford said:  "The Haven Hub is a cause close to my heart, and the song is a perfect fit to raise funds for them. It tells the story of someone coming to terms with the fact that they’re struggling, and does so in a beautifully simple, vulnerable way – but ultimately the song’s message is one of hope; it’s that we have this animal instinct to fight and to survive."

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The track features Limerick folk artist Emma Langford; Irish-Palestinian artist Róisín El Cherif; Noelle O’Riordan, cousin of the late Dolores; Classical singers Eve Stafford and Sarah Dolan; rising indie-rock stars Abe Soare and Dylan Flynn; and the children’s choir from Corpus Christi School in Moyross.

Pat Doran of the Haven Hub said: “Our new Mid West Mental Health Community Centre, generously granted to us by Limerick City and County Council, will stand as a symbol of hope. It will be Ireland’s first dedicated community centre focused solely on mental health and mental health supports, offering vital information and resources at its core."

In terms of how the Haven Hub is growing and the importance of the new riverside premises, its founder Leona O’Callaghan said that the past five years have been "a massive journey" for the charity. 

“We have not only expanded geographically into other areas, but our services now offer early intervention supports, alongside mental health crisis supports.” The centre offers walking groups, a trauma support group, wellness courses, a drop in centre and fun evening activities simply to connect people face-to-face in a safe space.

“Having our forever home allows our volunteers a place of our own which makes a massive difference in the work that we do concluded Ms O'Callaghan. "We are so grateful to all the artists that got behind this project, in particular Emma Langford, and also Limerick City Council for its support."

The single will release across streaming platforms on January 23.

The Haven Hub was established in Limerick City in December 2019, when a group of volunteers set out to provide late night support to those in emotional distress or at risk of suicide. Currently, they are based out of the Bedford Row Community Centre, but this year they move to their new premises in Thomondgate, near Clancy Strand.