Ireland's Big Issue

Announcement

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on us, as it has on many organisations worldwide.

We recently lost our offices of over 20 years as we were unable to afford a rent hike implemented by a new landlord, and anxieties around physical interaction and the advent of a cashless society make selling a magazine on the streets increasingly problematic.

Unfortunately, these factors have contributed to a fundamentally different landscape to that the Big Issue first hit the streets in back in 1995.

We have therefore reluctantly decided that the magazine will only be available in a digital format for the immediate future. We will revisit this decision in the future as circumstances change.

We thank you for your support to date and ask that you continue to help those on the margins of society. That has always been our aim and shall continue to be our driving force.

About Us

Our slogan is "a hand up, not a hand out". Our self-employed vendors purchase the magazine from us and sell them on at a profit - they are micro entrepreneurs.

Ireland’s Big Issue is a member of the International Network of Street Papers.

The magazine is published every 3 weeks and covers a wide range of local, national and international topics, including exclusive interviews, social issues, politics, history, health, lifestyle, photography, and film reviews.

In partnership with the Irish Street League, our Homeless Street Soccer League programme helps around 500 young men from disadvantaged backgrounds across Ireland to change their lives through sport. A team from the League represents Ireland in the Homeless World Cup each year.

It’s all about changing lives - helping people grow, building self confidence, self esteem and discipline, and accessing the tools to fight addiction.

By selling the magazine, our vendors earn a little bit of money that makes a significant difference to their lives.

By buying a copy of the Big Issue, you are facilitating these initiatives. If you have difficulty finding a vendor in your locality, please take out a subscription.

And remember, people experiencing homelessness are still people - please smile and stop for a chat, even if you don't want to buy the magazine.

Together, we can end homelessness for good.

Testimonials

Paddy Finnegan, Trinity College Dublin

Selling the Big Issue has been good for me. I've been selling it since 1995 as I felt it was a good idea to be doing something and making a few bob every day.

Colm Daly, Abbey Street, Dublin

Paddy Finnegan, Trinity College Dublin

Selling the Big Issue magazine has given me something to do. It breaks the day up for me and helps me to survive. I've never had any hassle selling it.

Noel McCauley, Sligo

Paul O'Connor, Athlone

I would encourage anyone to sell the Big Issue, because it will definitely turn your life around; I am proof positive of that.

Noel, who is blind, has represented Ireland in the Special Olympics.

Paul O'Connor, Athlone

When there were no jobs and everyone was out of work, I had a job selling the Big Issue magazine. That allowed me to provide for my family.

Paul has sold the Big Issue for over 20 years, and, despite a recent diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease, continues to do so.

Ireland's Big Issue | fighting homelessness

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