I don’t consider myself an activist. I don’t really consider myself anything, I just have some annoyingly strong opinions on social justice and I try to put them into practice whenever I can. So, I’ve done quite a bit of overseas volunteering; I spent the final 3 months of 2025 volunteering at Everyday Homeless and Angeles de Medellín, both in Colombia. Before that, in both 2013 and 2017, it was St. Lawrence Home of Hope, Lusaka, Zambia. For a a variety of ethical and personal reasons I’m not into posting about the specifics of volunteer work, but if you’re interested in learning more about any of these organisations, please feel free to get in touch – cathymcevoymusic@gmail.com
I’m also a member of the Green Party and Secretary to the Meath East branch. As for the other stuff, like I say, I just don’t seem to be able to shut up when unfair stuff happens; whether it’s Spotify not paying their artists, or anti-migrant scare mongering, the situation in Palestine, or climate change inequality. (It will not surprise you to learn that I don’t get many social invitations)
For example, in November 2024 I organised an event called Dublin Says Yes, showcasing the talents of migrant artists. I wanted to do something to mark the anniversary of the horrific Dublin riots of 2023, but in a positive way; celebrating the people who make this city better, instead of giving any more time or media attention to the thugs who wanted to burn it down on that awful night last year. We had comedy from Nehal Singh, the astonishing vocal talents of Justine Nantale – with some help from members of Discovery Gospel Choir – and Brazilian-influenced tunes from Luisa Annibali and her stunning 6-piece band. It was an unforgettable night and I’m proud to have been involved.
Before that, I released the video for a song of mine, Barricade the Sky, to coincide with World Refugee Day 2024.
I wrote the song in response to something I used to witness every day on my journey into Dublin city centre, which would take me past a centre that at the time was being used as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. A small, but bizarrely committed, group of protesters maintained a constant vigil outside it, waving tricolours and banners with scaremongering slogans referencing ‘Unvetted Military Aged Men’ and claiming ‘Ireland is Full’. No, it’s not. Ireland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and also one of the most sparsely populated, and those of us who were lucky enough to be born here don’t get to decide who else has the right to safety. We have some serious infrastructural problems, but blaming that on migrants is neither logical nor fair.
If all that makes me an activist, fine with me.
cathymcevoy 