FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY SEPT 7TH 2015

Announcing “Don’t Be Afraid” (Of the Light that shines within you) A compilation album in aid of Samaritans  Release Date: Oct 9^th

People who are going through difficult times will often want to share their problems with family or friends, but sometimes, for a number of reasons, it can be hard to talk to those who are closest. It can be easier to talk to a stranger, and this is where Samaritans comes in. They provide a safe place for people to talk when things are getting to them.

This CD, features 16 songs from some of Irelands most beloved artists and bands: Hozier, Hothouse Flowers, Imelda May, The Coronas,  Mary Black, Luka Bloom, Maura O’Connell, Eleanor Shanley, Paddy Casey, Kieran Quinn, Roisin O, Brian Kennedy, Ailie Blunnie, Dawn Kenny, Tommy Flemming & Brian Leyden. The songs deliver a powerful message of hope. The CD is dedicated to any of us who may find support in calling Samaritans and imparts the message that within the 21 branches on the island of Ireland, with 2,000 volunteers, Samaritans are there to listen.

Like the artists and bands that have dedicated their songs to this CD, Samaritans volunteers are ordinary people who do extraordinary things, and their service is available around the clock every single day of the year. Calls are confidential and those who contact them can be themselves – Samaritans do not judge.

The CD will be readily available to purchase on iTunes and all good digital sites from Oct 9^th as well as in select stores Nationwide. All proceeds from the sale of the cd will go towards Samaritans. For all updates and info, please check out the websitehttp://dontbeafraidcd.com

Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year, providing a safe place for anyone struggling to cope. You can call them at 116 123 (ROI), 08457 90 90 90 (NI) or email jo@samaritans.org. You can also get in touch by calling into a branch. For opening hours of each branch www.samaritans.ie .

Track listing and featured acts:

1. Hozier Someone New (3.42)
2. Hothouse Flowers Your Love Goes On (3.50)
3. Imelda May Kentish Town Waltz (4.50)
4. The Coronas My God (4.11)
5. Mary Black (Brand New Star (2,34)
6. Luka Bloom Don’t Be Afraid of the Light That Shines Within You (4.43)
7. Maura O’ Connell Feet Of A Dancer (4.08)
8. Eleanor Shanley & Patrick Bergin My Angel (3.00)
9. Paddy Casey You’ll Get By (4.53)
10. Kieran Quinn Smile (Instrumental) (3.05)
11. Roisin O Hold On (3.45)
12. Brian Kennedy Life, Love & Happiness (3.57)
13. Ailie Blunnie I Will Count My Blessings (4.32)
14. Dawn Kenny January (4.35)
15. Tommy Flemming Bright Blue Rose (4.35)
16. Brian Leyden Where Peace Come Dropping Slow (3.15)

Editors note:

Samaritans was established in Ireland in 1962 and there are now 21 branches on the island of Ireland with over 2,000 volunteers. Samaritans does a great deal to help people struggling to cope, both in terms of answering calls, face to face support, emails and texts as well as outreach work in prisons, schools, music festivals and many other places.  The work they do can best be summed up in one phrase – “We help people to see all the options available to them”. In some cases this can quite literally be a lifesaver.

Last year, Samaritans answered over 470,000 calls for help for people who contacted them by telephone, email, text or by visiting their local branch.

People called to talk about many issues: money worries, family and relationship problems; depression and mental health issues; loneliness and stress and anxiety. With many of these issues, having the opportunity to talk them through with a trained listener can offer huge relief. Where Samaritans feels a person could benefit from a different kind of support, they may sometimes sign-post them to alternative services.

Quote from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny – “For many of us, music can be our refuge: it takes us to a place of hope and comfort. There’s therefore a rightness and resonance to this CD which showcases some of Ireland’s best-loved musicians in aid of one of its best-loved charities, Samaritans”

Ends.