A Cork musician has said he is considering a move abroad as he is being evicted from his home and cannot afford the current rental market.
Artin Leahy (46) from Ballinadee, Bandon, Co Cork, is currently renting a house in the area but as the landlord sells he is forced to find new accommodation.
He wants to rent another house in the neighborhood that is spacious enough for his equipment, but says that even a small bungalow costs €1,200, which he cannot afford.
For this reason, he plans to move to France, where housing seems much more affordable.
Mr. Leahy’s current situation is the inspiration behind his new song Everyone should have a home protesting against the worsening housing crisis in Ireland.
“I’m looking for places but the prices are so crazy, I just don’t think I can afford to rent or do it here, so I’m considering moving overseas,” he said. told Independent.ie.
“I don’t know what to do – I’m still looking and hoping I don’t have to go.
“It’s around €1,200 for a T2, I won’t be able to afford that, I’d like to stay in the countryside to have room for my gear but I can’t do that because something like a small little cottage , there was a place near my house and it’s €1,200 for a small cottage with no furniture, I won’t be able to do that.
“I was thinking of moving to France, I know someone who lives there and he said it was very affordable.”
The singer-songwriter has been in the music industry for 25 years and worked as a session musician before beginning to produce his own songs during the pandemic.
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He has worked with Christy Moore, John Spillane, Ger Wolfe and many others, but said the internet has been fantastic as it has given him the opportunity to showcase his own songs.
“I’ve been a professional musician for most of my life, but when the pandemic hit I always had the idea of releasing my own songs, so when the pandemic hit it gave me the space to do so,” Mr. Leahy said.
“I released my first solo song in 2020 and it went really well so I kept doing it.
“I love this look [the internet]it opened it up, a guy like me probably couldn’t afford to release music without it, so you have your own little TV channel, it’s a great feeling.
