The Last Word with Matt Cooper Emmet Kirwan: Focus Ireland Activism & A Christmas Carol
Nov 28, 2025
Emmet Kirwan, an actor, playwright, and activist, passionately discusses his role as an ambassador for Focus Ireland's No Child Without a Home campaign. He shares personal stories that highlight the trauma faced by homeless families, emphasizing the impact of economic pressures on family planning in Ireland. Emmet also reflects on his generation's struggles with renting and the implications for future stability. Additionally, he talks about his role in A Christmas Carol at the Gate Theatre, bringing warmth and relevance to the holiday classic.
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Close-Up View Of Focus Ireland Work
- Emmet Kirwan describes living near the Focus Ireland kitchen and watching queues grow from 2013 to 2020.
- He recounts seeing people move from a cup of tea to being rehoused over several years through Focus Ireland's services.
Child Homelessness Has Long-Term Costs
- Emmet warns that children experiencing homelessness suffer long-term trauma and relative deprivation.
- He argues society must interrupt that trajectory because failure to act shifts the burden to future public costs.
Numbers And Personal Choices Collide
- Emmet cites official figures: 16,766 in emergency accommodation with 5,274 children at end of October.
- He links personal choices about having children to economic insecurity created by the crash and housing instability.
