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Ben O'Beirne
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Dublin City, Ireland
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This Week’s Soup Run Report – Honouring the People Behind It All ❤️
This work has never been about just one organisation. It’s an incredible network of donors, volunteers, local businesses, and friends coming together with one purpose: to serve with love, empathy, and respect.
Because of you, hundreds of people experiencing homelessness and hardship aren't just fed each week—they are welcomed, respected, and reminded that they matter.
A Special Thanks to Our Food Partners:
Each week, we distribute 300–400 hot, high-quality meals. Our amazing restaurant partners provide these restaurant-grade meals (normally €25+) to us for just €3.50 each:
Al-Khair Restaurant (South Circular Rd) – Supporting us for over 1.5 years!
Darbar Restaurant – Providing 100 to 300 hot meals every single week!
SACFO Fine Foods – Donating 50–100 delicious falafel veggie burgers weekly!
FoodCloud – An essential pillar of our work for the past 11 years through our Tesco collections and Hub visits.
Community & Faith in Action:
Gonzaga College: A huge shout-out to the 6th-year students volunteering with us this school year. These young men lead with such kindness, maturity, and dignity.
Rock of Ages C&S Church (Mount of Mercy): Thank you for joining us tonight and for your generous donation. A beautiful reminder that kindness is a universal language, no matter our faith or background.
To everyone who donates €1 or €500, shares our posts, leaves a kind comment, or gives their time: this soup run belongs to all of us. We could not do this without you. Thank you! 🙏❤️
#SoupRun #CommunityFirst #EndHomelessness #Dublin #Volunteering
To donate: https://t.co/txexZXW91y
#MuslimSistersOfÉire #MSOE #SoupRun #Homelessness #HomelessSupport #CommunitySupport #FoodPoverty #FoodCloud #GonzagaCollege #YouthVolunteers #RockOfAgesChurch #MountOfMercy #CompassionInFaith #InterfaithSolidarity #FaithInAction #Volunteers #Donors #CompassionInAction #StrongerTogether #Dublin #HelpingThoseInNeed #CommunitySpirit
Culture Night 2026 was celebrated across Dublin tonight.
On one side of O’Connell Street, there was a stage, live music and people dancing. On the other side, outside the GPO, more than 400 people queued for food. The contrast between the two sides of the street was heartbreaking.
Among those waiting were children, elderly people, rough sleepers and people using Zimmer frames and crutches. Some stood in the queue for two or three hours. Others arrived late, saw its length and pleaded to be helped quickly because they had a hostel curfew, needed to return to their children or simply could not physically manage the wait.
Week after week, we hear people begging for their stories to be heard. Tonight, as we packed everything away, our volunteers were completely exhausted—not only from serving hundreds of hot meals, snacks, fruit and yoghurts, but from witnessing such overwhelming need once again.
We also do our utmost to ensure that the area is left completely clean after every soup run. Our volunteers collect every piece of rubbish, tie up all the bags securely and stack them neatly for collection. We respect this historic place and always take responsibility for leaving it clean and tidy when our work is finished.
Culture Night celebrates who we are as a city. But this is also part of our city, the painful reality of homelessness, poverty and food insecurity unfolding outside one of Ireland’s most historic buildings.
It is shameful that, in 2026, this service is still so desperately needed. Yet we could not continue supporting our homeless and vulnerable friends every week without the generosity of our donors and volunteers.
If you are in a position to donate, please support our weekly GPO Soup Run. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us provide food, dignity and compassion to those who need it most. https://t.co/txexZXW91y
Martyn Turner https://t.co/L0vE375NeA
❤️ THIS WEEK, WE WANT TO SHINE A LIGHT ON OUR VOLUNTEERS ❤️
This week, before anything else, we want to give a massive THANK YOU to the incredible people who continue to give their time to stand alongside us and serve those in need.
We have been inundated recently with people wanting to volunteer with Muslim Sisters of Éire, and we feel incredibly blessed.
It was wonderful to welcome back students from Gonzaga College for another year. Last year, students volunteered with us on rotation throughout the school term, and this year they are back again.
To see young men in 5th and 6th Year giving up their Friday evening, working hard and showing such genuine empathy, kindness and compassion towards everyone they met was beautiful. They are a credit to themselves, their school and their families. ❤️
We were also delighted to have five volunteers from Sky Ireland join us tonight, alongside our regular volunteers and some new faces.
And that is what we love about volunteering.
No agenda. No judgement. No expectation of anything in return. Just people coming together with compassion in their hearts for those who need it most.
Tonight we served just under 400 hot meals, with five large tables absolutely overflowing with donations — fruit, vegetables, watermelon, sandwiches, yogurts, water, fruit drinks and so much more. Tea and coffee were flowing, plenty of biscuits, and of course we couldn't forget everyone's favourite — the treat table! ❤️
We are so grateful for the abundance on our tables.
But the reality on the other side of those tables remains difficult to see.
The queue keeps getting longer and longer.
Children, young people, older people, people experiencing homelessness and people simply struggling to make ends meet. Week after week, we see the same faces and we welcome new ones.
Our greatest hope has always been that one day we will be able to fold up these tables because there is simply no longer a need for them.
Sadly, looking at the queues today, that day still feels a long way away.
So until then, we will keep showing up.
To every volunteer who gives their time, every person who donates food and supplies, every school, company and community that supports us, and everyone who quietly helps behind the scenes — thank you.
You make it possible for us to continue serving people with the dignity, compassion and respect that every human being deserves. ❤️
If you would like to support our weekly homeless outreach with a donation, you can do so through the link below.
Thank you, as always, for standing with us. ❤️
If you would like to help us or donate, please visit https://t.co/txexZXWGR6.
#MuslimSistersOfEire #HomelessOutreach #Dublin #GPO #Volunteers #Community #Compassion #TogetherWeCan
Soup Run Report – Friday Night at the GPO
Tonight was chaotic. We don’t get many nights quite like this, but tonight was one of those nights that really showed us the depth of need that exists on our streets.
Every person who came to our soup run had a different story and a different reason for needing support. At times, the queue was extremely difficult to manage, with so many people desperately trying to get what they needed before supplies ran out.
Families came looking for food and lunches for their children. Rough sleepers asked for sleeping bags, tents, hot water and hygiene packs. Elderly people came looking for the most basic food items simply to help them get through the week when their pension had run out. Families asked for groceries to put food on the table, while others were looking for school bags and back-to-school essentials for their children.
Behind every person in that queue is a story.
As we have said so many times, we could write a book about the stories we hear on the streets. Some are incredibly difficult and heartbreaking. But those stories are shared with us in confidence, and they will always remain that way. Dignity and respect must come before everything else.
At our soup run, we have three principles that we constantly remind our volunteers of: compassion, empathy and a listening ear.
Sometimes a person needs more than a hot meal. Sometimes they need someone to look them in the eye, listen to them without judgement and remind them that they matter. Even giving someone a few minutes of your time can mean the world to a person who feels forgotten.
Week after week, it is becoming increasingly difficult to witness the growing levels of homelessness and hardship. Tonight, once again, we had six six-foot tables laden with food, and still the need was enormous.
We also met families tonight who are struggling with the cost of sending their children back to school. Next week, we will be distributing school bags and essential back-to-school supplies to some of those families, helping their children return to school with dignity.
We simply could not continue this work without you. Every donation, every person who supports us and every volunteer who gives their time allows us to continue being there for people when they need us most.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We hope you all have a beautiful and peaceful weekend. 💚
To support our work or make a donation: https://t.co/txexZXW91y
The Defence Forces Overseas Family Support day was recently held in Dublin Zoo.
Days like these show the Defence Forces’ commitment to supporting those who are serving overseas and their loved ones.
Members of our Personnel Support Services (PSS) were present to offer guidance to all present
A big thanks to the staff of the An Cosantóir Office for their great work in running and organising the day!
Total respect to the Canadian humour.. 🤣🤣
Tonight’s soup run began long before we arrived at the GPO, with a lot of preparation and organising throughout the day.
Over the past few weeks, we have become increasingly concerned by the number of elderly people and people with physical disabilities coming to our soup run — some using Zimmer frames, walking aids or crutches. Watching someone struggle to stand in a queue for such a long time when they are already experiencing mobility difficulties is heartbreaking.
Because of this, we have introduced a priority system at our GPO soup run.
From now on, those with visible mobility difficulties or physical disabilities, including elderly people using walking aids, people using Zimmer frames and those on crutches, will be assisted first. We will then prioritise families with children and people sleeping rough before continuing with the general queue.
This isn't about giving anyone special treatment. It is about dignity, compassion and recognising when someone simply cannot physically manage a long wait.
Tonight, the number of people attending who had mobility difficulties was particularly noticeable. It is difficult enough navigating daily life on crutches or with a Zimmer frame without having to stand waiting for food.
Despite everything, tonight we served just under 350 hot, nutritious meals to people who needed them.
A huge thank you to every volunteer who helped everything run smoothly and to every single person who cooks, prepares, donates and supports our work. We simply could not continue this service without you.
Another Friday at the GPO. Another reminder of why compassion and dignity must always come first. ❤️
Have a safe and peaceful weekend from all of us at Muslim Sisters of Éire (MSOE).
To donate: https://t.co/cCYEpNiaFw
#MuslimSistersOfEire #MSOE #GPO #Dublin #HomelessOutreach #SoupRun #CommunitySupport #DisabilityAwareness #Dignity #Compassion #SupportingOurCommunity #NoOneLeftBehind
It’s been a heavy day💜.
We started this morning by making our position clear: Muslim Sisters of Éire has zero tolerance for racism, Islamophobia or discrimination. Comments of this nature will be removed, and those responsible will be banned from our platforms.
And then this evening, we did what we have done week after week for 11 years — we showed up.
Tonight, 420 hot, nutritious meals were served from six six-foot tables filled with food for our pals who were waiting for us.
There is something deeply ironic about starting your day having to defend yourself against racial discrimination, and ending it standing on the streets serving people from every background, nationality, faith and walk of life.
But we keep marching on — because our hearts are with the people we serve.
For over a decade, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with them. We have listened to their stories and wiped their tears. We have found clothes for people who had nothing and put shoes on the feet of people who came to us barefoot. We have advocated for people, helped some find homes, and, most importantly, reminded them that somebody cares.
Our soup run has no ID.
No nationality.
No religion.
No race.
Our arms are open to everyone. We believe in dignity, compassion and respect for every human being.
And no amount of hate will change that.
If you would like to support our Friday Soup Run, we urgently welcome donations of sleeping bags, hygiene products, ambient/non-perishable food, chocolates, crisps, bananas, apples and oranges.
You can also sponsor a hot meal for just €3.50 through our website.
https://t.co/txexZXW91y
Thank you to everyone who continues to stand beside us, donate, volunteer and believe in what we do.
Hate will never stop us from helping. 💜
#MuslimSistersOfÉire #MSOE #SoupRun #Dublin #HomelessOutreach #CommunityCare #Humanity #NoToRacism #NoToIslamophobia #ZeroTolerance #CompassionInAction #SupportThoseInNeed #TogetherWeAreStrong
Tonight, we were truly blessed to serve just under 450 meals.
The evening was dry and warm, and when we arrived, the queues were already stretching around the GPO and up towards Henry Street and Mary Street, as they so often do.
One positive we noticed tonight was a welcome decrease in the number of children in the queue. Sadly, however, there was a significant increase in elderly people. Many were relying on Zimmer frames, crutches, or walking aids, simply trying to make it through another week.
We made sure to look after our older guests first, helping them out of the queue, offering them a hot cup of tea, a warm meal, and, just as importantly, a little compassion. From there, we continued serving those experiencing homelessness and the many others who rely on the soup run each week.
One young man we met tonight will stay with us for a long time. He was clearly homeless and visibly distressed. It was heartbreaking to see the impact that life on the streets had taken on his mental health. Through tears, he asked if we had a sleeping bag.
Thankfully, we were able to provide him with a sleeping bag, a tent, a hygiene bag, and a hot meal before wishing him well. Seeing someone so young in that situation is something that stays with you.
Stories like his are heartbreaking, and they are stories we hear week after week. We often say we could write a book about the people we've met and the lives they've shared with us.
Whenever we hear that someone has been found on the streets or that another person has sadly passed away, we always hope and pray it isn't one of our friends.
Sadly, this week, it was.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their family and loved ones. We also remember the struggles they faced and renew our commitment to being there for those who need us most.
None of us knows what lies ahead in life. We hope that Dara Soup Run can continue to be a place where people find kindness, compassion, a listening ear, and a warm meal when they need it most.
As always, we simply couldn't do this without your incredible support.
If you would like to help us continue this work, please consider making a donation at https://t.co/DvfuB66MhJ.
Thank you for standing with us and helping us bring hope, one meal at a time.
This week, we were truly blessed to serve just under 500 hot meals during our soup runs. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, many of our Pals also received one of the famous veggie falafel burgers from Sacfo Fine Foods – a firm favourite that always brings a smile.
We're delighted that we continue to provide not just a hot meal, but also nutritious food. Alongside their meal, many of our Pals left with two to three bags of fresh and healthy food, including fruit, vegetables, and other essentials, as well as a few well-deserved treats. Good nutrition is so important, and we want everyone who comes to our table to leave knowing they've received wholesome food to help them through the days ahead.
With the recent warm weather, we've also noticed a significant increase in requests for sun cream. Sleeping rough in the summer can be just as challenging as it is in the winter. Every season brings different hardships, and protecting skin from the sun is now a real necessity. If you're able to donate a bottle of sun cream, we'd be incredibly grateful. Please get in touch with us.
Tonight's queues were especially long. Many people stood waiting for up to two hours, hoping for a hot meal and some essential supplies. It was a busy and emotional evening, but together our volunteers did everything they could to ensure everyone was treated with dignity, kindness, and compassion.
None of this would be possible without your continued support. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us help those who need it most. Every donation, every volunteer, and every act of kindness makes a real difference.
If you would like to support our work, please visit https://t.co/AwKboPQMw9.
Together, we can continue to bring hope, warmth, compassion, and friendship to those who need it most. ❤️
We had another incredibly heavy, heartbreaking night on the soup run. This shouldn't be happening, people who have worked hard their whole lives shouldn't have to spend their retirement standing in a queue for a hot meal just because their pension doesn't stretch far enough to cover their bills after a lifetime of hard work.
As we say every week, our numbers are creeping up slightly each time. But what truly breaks our heart week in, week out, is seeing the elderly and vulnerable out there.
Tonight, we saw people who are blind being led to the queue just to get something to eat. We saw elderly folks pushing walking frames and others with withered bodies just trying to get a few bits and pieces to keep them going for the week. The government has a lot to answer for, because seeing people who have given everything to this life end up on a soup run queue is absolutely shattering.
That being said, we simply cannot do this without you and your unwavering support week in, week out.
Tonight, we had exactly 300 hot meals and across our tables we put out all kinds of different foods and every single item went. Every item of food from our large transit van was taken out and laid upon our five, six foot tables, which were absolutely packed with food and every single thing went.
Words fail us this week, but we will continue to show up with your help.
If you would like to support and help us keep showing up for those who have nowhere else to turn, please consider donating: https://t.co/i5SxXXt9SR.
Every bit helps us keep the tables full and the support flowing. Thank you for standing with us.
AI is good, but... Where'd the apple go, and WHERE THE HELL DID THAT ORANGE CONE COME FROM??!! 🤔🧐😂
We had a moment of real worry tonight on the food run. Watching the queue stretch out at the end, we were very uneasy and genuinely thought we would run short. Luckily looking down on us, we went right down to the 299th meal and no one was left without food. Every single person was fed, even though the tables were quite crowded tonight.
As we repeat every week, we set down a food layout across our five tables with all kinds of meals and what we saw very apparently tonight was the sheer amount of people looking for sleeping bags. Being going into our 11th year out there, we know that there is going to be a huge need for sleeping bags. People prefer to sleep on the streets in the summer rather than being at the hostels, because they feel unsafe in some of them.
What shattered our hearts the most this week, however, was the visible surge in gender-based violence. We saw a deeply concerning increase in the number of women on the streets, women who, for whatever reason, find themselves lost in life and vulnerable to its harshest elements. The physical toll was devastating to see: bruises and cuts on faces that no one should ever have to bear. It is incredibly hard to take when you realize the sheer scale of what they are going through.
That being said, all we can do is give them a little bit of support. We give them the correct information, what is needed for them, a listening ear, and some food and comfort. The truth is, we absolutely cannot continue to do this without you.
If you would like to support our soup run and help us keep showing up for those who have nowhere else to turn, please consider donating.https://t.co/i5SxXXt9SR. Every bit helps us keep the tables full and the support flowing. Thank you for standing with us.
UNIFIL UPDATE: All Irish personnel are well and accounted for. Personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion continue to employ force protection measures enabling them to observe and monitor the ongoing conflict in line with UNSCR 1701. Óglaigh na hÉireann remains resolute in its commitment to UNIFIL.
The Defence Forces wishes to extend its sympathies to the family and friends of the peacekeeper who lost his life and our thoughts are with his colleagues who are recovering at this time.
For decades, Irish Peacekeepers have served with courage, professionalism, and compassion in some of the world’s most challenging environments. On International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, we honour the service and sacrifice of all those who have worn the blue beret in pursuit of peace on behalf of Ireland and the United Nations.
Tonight was an extremely warm night on the streets, and demand for our service was higher than ever. Thanks to your support, we provided just under 400 meals this evening. Our transport vehicle was full to the brim, and every single item, from hot meals to fresh fruits, vegetables, treats, sleeping bags and tents was distributed.
Two interactions broke our hearts and reminded us why we are out here:
2 weeks ago, we shared a story about a beautiful, proud gentleman who refused his hot meal because he heard there were still 89 people behind him. Tonight, he returned in a heartbreaking state. His only pair of trousers was badly torn, leaving his legs exposed, and he had an old jacket tied around his waist for cover. His runners were far too big. Our founder immediately called over a volunteer to take him into Penneys, instructing him to buy two of everything: trousers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, underwear, a jacket, and properly fitting runners. But even in that state, this gentleman put his hand on his chest and refused the extras. He said, “Please, only buy me one set, and keep the cost to buy for someone else.” Once again, his incredible selflessness left us floored.
We also assisted a vulnerable young man who struggles with mental disabilities and has the mind of a child. It was physically visible just how ill and neglected he was. To give him some privacy and dignity, we brought him to the back of our van, gave him wipes to clean himself up and provided him with fresh underwear and a new tracksuit. It is absolutely heartbreaking to see people suffering like this.
These are just two of the stories we encounter every week and our work is only possible because of the community behind us.
With the current heatwave, we wish everyone a safe weekend ahead. As you enjoy the sunshine, please check in if you see someone sleeping rough. It doesn’t have to be money, offer a cup of tea, cold water, a quick chat, or clean socks.
Remember, we are all on a path in this life, and no one knows where we are going to end up.
If you would like to help us or donate, please use this link: https://t.co/i5SxXXsC3j
Appalled at the shocking behaviour of Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir towards illegally detained members of the Sumud Flotilla.
The Israeli government’s actions are in breach of international law and I intend to raise this issue at EU level.
On Thursday, 15 MAY 26, the first chalk of the 127th Infantry Battalion arrived home following a challenging and demanding deployment with UNIFIL in South Lebanon.
Throughout their deployment, personnel of the 127th Infantry Battalion operated in a complex and volatile environment, displaying professionalism, resilience and courage while representing Ireland and Óglaigh na hÉireann with distinction.
#ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefendOurState
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