Bring On The Night

The BFG makes a BFF Tiglin TUES14DEC21

t’s always a big night for Greystones, with thousands raised each year for the mighty Tiglin at Carraig Eden.

This year seemed to be something special though.

And we’re not just talking about the fact that Paddy Casey came along to join the party.

No, the tall and the short of it is, the good people of Greystones came out in force on this cool Tuesday night to wish not only those in Carraig Eden a warm and wonderful Christmas, but all those around Ireland caught between homelessness and a hard place.

Splendori in action

Also in the crowd was our roving reporter, work experience wonder Tara Wortley from Temple Carrig School.

Photo-journalist Tara knew this fundraiser was important to cover. Even if it was a school night…

This year’s Sleep Out was both an emotional and inspiring night, one filled with a contagious energy that more than countered the darkening skies.

Phil Thompson Tiglin CEO

This annual – and extremely worthwhile – Tiglin fundraiser began at 8pm with a series of very moving stories about recovering from crippling addiction and deteriorating, debilitating mental health. Talking to those present, it was clear that these open-hearted confessions had touched a nerve, and such frankness certainly brought these issues far closer to home.

Thankfully, to make sure that there was sweetness to counter these bitter pills, live music was on hand, with headliner Paddy Casey joined by local hero Dylan E. Crampton, Cormac Breathnach and Kila’s Ronan O’Snodaigh. There to share some of this magic with the world was Andrea Splendori, broadcasting a series of interviews live through his Social Fabric podcast.

With people sleeping out on the grounds of Tiglin’s Carraig Eden here at Greystones’ Cove, others were joining in around the country and beyond, sleeping i their gardens, their kitchen floors and wherever they decided to lay their hat for the night. Explained Tiglin CEO Phil Thompson, “A lot of people think homelessness is sleeping on the streets and for many it is, but for a large proportion of people, it’s sleeping on their friend’s couch. There is a lot of hidden homelessness going on.”

Last night was about spreading awareness of the homelessness around all of Ireland and celebrating the recoveries of people who had suffered a lot of life challenges due to addiction. It was also about being inspired, about believing that there’s always a way home. One audience member told me she had been very moved by the stories tonight…

“They’ve got their lives back on track,” she said, “and you can just sense that they’re really grounded. They’re encouraging others around them to do the same. It’s just very inspiring…”

Nicky and Nicko Stewart were enjoying the live music when I approached them. Nicky told me that sleeping out in the cold for a night is worth it because “there’s lot of people homeless that are sleeping out every night of the week. It shows some solidarity and supports them. It’s something that can be done to raise awareness…”

That the night should ultimately feel like a party was reflective not only of the good work Tiglin are doing but of the strong sense of community present in this swaying crowd. It helped too, of course, when Paddy, Dylan, Ronan and the gang started delivering songs like King Of The Swingers from Disney’s Jungle Book.

Throw in plenty of Christmas singalongs and some Irish trad, and sure, it’s quite possible the party kept on going right through the night and into Wednesday.

As to the money raised, Phil Thompson explained, “All the money that we raise goes toward helping people that we are involved with. So, it all goes back into all our centers. It helps people get back into training and education. It provides rehabilitation supports, counselling and everything that people who are overcoming and recovering from addiction need.”

If you feel like giving your money a good home, you can hit the Sleep Out For Tiglin donate button right here.