Artists across musical genres have come together on a cover of The Cranberries’ “Animal Instinct” in a bid to open the doors of a crucial new riverside mental health drop-in centre in Limerick City.
A dazzling constellation of musicians, singers and businesses have come together in support of mental health organisation, The Haven Hub. A music video, created by Crude Media’s Shane Serrano, to accompany a brand new charity single will be released on the 15th of January, marking the 7th anniversary of Dolores O’Riordan’s passing.
Musical stars from Limerick and beyond have recorded a cover of The Cranberries “Animal Instinct”, with the support of Limerick Council, and the blessing of the band and the family of the late Cranberries’ lead singer Dolores O’Riordan. The track features Limerick’s Emma Langford; Irish-Palestinian artist Róisín El Cherif; Noelle O’Riordan, cousin of the late Dolores; Classical singers Eve Stafford and Sarah Dolan; Rising indie-rock star Dylan Flynn; and the children’s choir from Corpus Christi School in Moyross, among others.
“Animal Instinct” will premier online on the 15th of January in a music video that features volunteers from the Haven Hub and suicide patrol team, staff from neighbouring businesses, Limerick personalities, and cherished members of the community. The date marks the start of a massive fundraising campaign to ensure The Haven Hub can open the doors of its Thomondgate centre in February, to support the public during one of the darkest months of the year.
The Haven Hub was established in Limerick City in December 2019, when a group of volunteers set out to provide late night support to those in emotional distress or at risk of suicide. Currently they are based out of the Bedford Row Community Centre, but this year they move to their new premises in Thomondgate, near Clancy Strand – The Haven Hub Mid-West Mental Health Community Centre is still aiming for a February launch.
Chairperson of The Haven Hub, Pat Doran, says that there is a wealth of support services available, “ from homelessness and addiction supports, to LGBTQ+ resources and more—all of which play a crucial role in maintaining mental health. Through this centre, we want to increase awareness of these options and ensure people know where to turn in challenging times.”
The council have granted the charity their new location by Thomond Bridge with a 30-year-lease for nominal rent, but the group urgently need to fundraise for ongoing repairs essential to bringing the centre up to a usable condition. They approached Limerick singer-songwriter Emma Langford in 2024 to head up the collaborative fundraising project that would unite artists across genres.
“The Haven Hub is a cause close to my heart, and the song is a perfect fit to raise funds for them”, Langford says, “it tells the story of someone coming to terms with the fact that they’re struggling, and does so in a beautifully simple, vulnerable way – but ultimately the song’s message is one of hope; it’s that we have this animal instinct to fight and to survive.”
Pat Doran goes on to say that with the release of this single, the Haven Hub’s aim is to spread the message that no one has to face crisis or distress alone, “Our new Mid West Mental Health Community Centre, generously granted to us by Limerick City and County Council, will stand as a symbol of hope. It will be Ireland’s first dedicated community centre focused solely on mental health and mental health supports, offering vital information and resources at its core.”
Vocalists on the track, in order of appearance, are Emma Langford, Abe Soare, Noelle O’Riordan, Ronan
Mitchell (Fox Jaw), Dylan Flynn (Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets), Annie Cheevers, Eve Stafford, Fint Tynan (Raging Sons), Siobhán O’Brien, Tríona Horan, Ann Blake, Roisin El Cherif, Jean McGlynn, Michelle Grimes, Sarah Dolan, Joyce Zacks, and Corpus Christi School choir.
Before going into studio to record the track, the super-group had their debut in October 2024 on the stage of Limerick’s much loved Dolan’s Warehouse at “Music For Mental Health”, an annual concert organised by Karl Daly to raise funds for local mental health resources.
The track also features Ben Wanders on drums, Ann Blake (Brad Pitt Light Orchestra) on bass, Steve Ryan (Windings, Giveamanakick) on electric guitar, and Emma Langford on acoustic guitar. It was recorded, mixed and produced by Ben Wanders at Wanderland Recording Studio in Limerick City, and mastered by Richard Dowling at Wav Mastering, Limerick.
In terms of how the Haven Hub is growing and the importance of the new riverside premises, its founder Leona O’Callaghan says that the past 5 years have been “a massive journey” for the charity. “We have not only expanded geographically into other areas, but our services now offer early intervention supports, alongside mental health crisis supports.” The centre offers walking groups, a trauma support group, wellness courses, a drop in centre and fun evening activities simply to connect people face-to-face in a safe space. “Having our forever home allows our volunteers a place of our own which makes a massive difference in the work that we do. We are so grateful to all the artists that got behind this project, in particular Emma Langford, and also Limerick City Council for its support”.
The music video’s release on the 15th of January will be accompanied by information on ways to donate to the charity’s ongoing development, as well as a text-to-donate number, which will allow the public to easily play their part in getting the new Haven Hub centre across the line in time for their official opening in February.
ANIMAL INSTINCT (LIMERICK ARTISTS AND CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOL IN AID OF THE HAVEN HUB)