Kildare student's visit to Dublin inspired her to write song about homelessness

A November trip to Dublin where she saw the extent of the homelessness crisis inspired Martha Perris to pen a song and to take action.

Martha wrote the song ‘Half the Irish’ after speaking briefly to a homeless lady in Dublin in November.

She then approached Scoil Mhuire Clane Community School Chaplain Mr. Kavanagh about doing a fundraiser for the Peter McVerry Trust.

Fr. Peter McVerry has been a guest speaker on Scoil Mhuire's 6th yr  Religion Programme since 1990 and the school has a strong connection with him.  

On Wednesday this week Martha performed her song at the Scoil Mhuire Senior Carol Service in Clane Parish Church.

Fr. Peter McVerry was invited to attend which he did with one of his service users Stephen.

ABOVE: Fr. Paul O Boyle, Clane Parish, Martha Perris, Fr. Peter McVerry and Scoil Mhuire Clane Principal,  Kevin Martin 

Fr. Peter was delighted to hear the song and Martha then made a presentation to the Peter Mc Verry Trust from the 6th year student body.

Martha hopes to study music in college after her Leaving Certificate exams next year.

HALF THE IRISH       

by    Marth Perris 6th year

Walk across the Ha’penny 

Early December 

Nice of you to acknowledge me 

Although my cup is empty 

My glass is three quarters full 

Cause your simple smile made me feel a little less invisible 

Strolling down Grafton 

Buskers galore 

We’re all trying to make a few bob 

Cause the tiger's here no more 

I hear the American accents 

Taking pictures with Molly Malone 

They all claim to be Irish but half the Irish don’t have a home 

I see the sun setting off the spire 

I know I won’t sleep tonight 

But there’s something I’d like for Christmas 

Just a little bit of light 

Heading across temple bar 

Found a step for a bed 

It’s not much more than a cobble but it’s somewhere to rest my head 

And the cold is getting violent 

Soaking into my bones 

Feel the gates beginning to open 

I’m on my way 

On my way to what I think is 

I see American tourists outside the GPO they’re all wishing they were Irish but not the Irish without a home 

I see the buses on the quays 

To the brim with passengers with lives they’re probably wondering what’s for dinner while I’m scheming to stay alive 

I hear the American accents 

Taking pictures with Molly Malone 

They all claim to be Irish but half the Irish don’t have a home.