“WE ALL need somebody to lean on,” the Dublin Gospel Choir sang as some of the 400-strong crowd took to their feet and swayed their arms to the music.
The crowd at the Irish Life building on Talbot Street in Dublin were in fact members of homeless community, some living in sheltered accommodation and people with mental illnesses and drug dependencies. They seemed to be putting their troubles to one side at least for the moment.
“Where do I get my dinner?” asked one reveller rather gruffly, his face only melting into a smile when he was shown to a table and served a tasty-looking dinner by a member of An Garda Síochána.
Other guest waiters included members of the Dublin Fire Brigade, staff of Irish Life and members of Dublin-based Lions Clubs – the organisation that holds the annual party in the first weeks of the new year.
Now in its 50th year, the event is still dubbed Eric’s Party after the man who organised the first event, Eric Webb.
“The focus is on the homeless so we make a point of going around all the hostels and handing out tickets at each of the hostels,” said Frank O’Donoghue, treasurer of the Dublin Lions Club. “A lot of people will meet up with old friends – it’s a way of renewing acquaintances.”
Then a cheer went up. It was the arrival of Uachtarán na hÉireann. President Michael D Higgins gave a hearty wave and they waved back. He told the attendees that he would raise their concerns with “the people who matter”. They cried back; “You better.”
“May I wish you all the best with the best moments and opportunities of your life for the coming year,” he said. Then he made his way around the room, shaking hands and smiling.