The Indo Daily: Self Aid: How Ireland tried to sing its way out of unemployment
Briefly

Self Aid, held in Dublin less than a year after Live Aid, focused on addressing serious domestic issues such as unemployment and economic stagnation in Ireland. The concert aimed to gather support and raise morale among a disillusioned generation rather than focus on international famine relief. Key Irish music figures, including U2 and Van Morrison, performed at this unprecedented event. Nearly 40 years later, the effectiveness of Self Aid in instilling long-term change continues to be debated, illustrating its complex legacy in Ireland's cultural history.
Self Aid was about addressing Ireland's rampant unemployment and economic stagnation rather than famine relief. Its primary aim was to rally support and boost morale.
Featuring major Irish artists like U2 and Van Morrison, Self Aid aimed to bring the country together and restore faith in the future during tough times.
Despite its star-studded lineup, the impact of Self Aid remains contentious, as questions linger about its effectiveness in addressing the country's deep-seated issues.
Self Aid was the first and only concert of its kind in Ireland, representing a unique moment in the intersection of music and social issues.
Read at Irish Independent
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