Denny searches for what makes a Cork house a home
Monday 28th September 2009: Craig Doyle today officially launched Ireland’s first ever search to find out what home means to the country! Denny is taking to the road to find out with the first stop being in Cork.
A specially created Denny house at number 65 Patrick Street in Cork will open for four days this Thursday, October 1st.
Denny is donating €1 to The Simon Community on behalf of every individual who shares their thoughts about home. The public can do this by uploading photos, videos or comments to http://www.homeis.ie, texting 51444 or by popping into the Denny home.
Denny is also looking to film real people and real homes as part of its search. They are asking the public to invite the Denny film crew – headed by award-winning film-maker Paddy Breathnach (I Went Down, Shrooms) – into their homes to share their thoughts with the nation on TV, as part of Denny’s 2010 ad campaign. To invite the Denny film crew into their home, the public can call 1850 887 000.
Plenty of Corkonians are already sharing their thoughts. Etaoin O’ Hailpin, Miss Cork comments: ‘‘Home to me is relaxing with my family and enjoying being together. I look forward every evening to going home and chilling with my family, having a chat and a laugh. Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin.”
Even the Lord Mayor Cllr. Dara Murphy has opened up, saying “Home is anywhere that I am with my wife and children”.
Denny’s specially created Cork ‘pop up’ home looks like an actual home with a real sitting room and kitchen – straight out of a Laura Ashley or Kath Kidson catalogue! They have everything from standard lamps to cosy cushions, rocking chairs, dressers, stocked fridges, and photo frames. There is even a view of iconic local landscapes out of the kitchen window.
The Cork Denny home is kitted out with wi fi access, games, and much more. People can stroll in, make themselves a cup of tea, have a chat with the resident ‘mammy’ and ‘son’ and of course tell us what home means to them!
In addition to the pop up homes, Denny has created a ‘Home on Wheels’ which will also go on tour across the nation from Wednesday 30th September. Anyone can also request the Home on Wheels to visit them by going on to http://www.homes.ie (we’re on the move page) if they have a special event on, whether their wedding, 40th birthday party or golden anniversary.
Businesses, societies, or individuals can book meetings or events in either the Home on Wheels or pop up homes. Anything from big breakfast mornings to afternoon tea, debates, kiddie mornings with story telling, and board game tournaments will be catered for Celebrity Ambassador, Craig Doyle comments “Home is more than just a building, it’s familiarity, its faces, family, friends, memories, smells, jobs to be done, things to be fixed – it’s security and safety. We’re looking forward to seeing what is significant to people in towns and cites throughout the country. For me it’s my real life outside of work, a return journey, a house full of screaming kids, a window frame the dog chewed and I got blamed for, it’s happiness and warmth!”
Tricia Burke of Denny says: “We realise the importance of home and how something small can really make people feel “at home”; your favourite cup, a special spot on the sofa or even a song that reminds you of home.” “We want to make the public part of our story, by showcasing real homes and feelings in our TV adverts next year – the public can literally dictate to us what they want us to see. But we don’t want to scare anyone away from sharing their thoughts! Only those who opt in will be approached to be part of our ads. For the rest of the nation, simply by sharing your ideas with us, we will make a donation on your behalf to The Simon Community”.
Patrick Burke, CEO of the Simon Communities of Ireland said: “The Simon Communities throughout the island of Ireland provide care, accommodation and support to almost 10,000 people every year who experience – or are at risk of homelessness. Many are cut off and isolated from family and friends.”
Log onto http://www.homeis.ie. Denny also has online homes on Facebook, twitter, Flickr, and postcardsfromhome.ie.