A conversation with Peter McVerry (071, Jan 2014)

Time for the fourth installment in Living for the City, Banter’s autumn/winter series of talks about living, working and playing in the capital city. After indepth looks at bikesgaffs and the new Dubliners, we welcome Fr Peter McVerry to Banter for an indepth conversation on his life and work.

Peter-McVerry

The latest freeman of Dublin has been working with Dublin’s young homeless for more than 30 years. During this time he has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of these young people. In 1979, Fr McVerry opened a hostel to address the urgent need for accommodation for young homeless people. Four years later, he set up a charity called The Arrupe Society, to provide further housing and support.

Renamed in 2005 as Peter McVerry Trust, the charity has progressed from providing a three bedroom flat in Ballymun to today’s wide range of services catering for the diverse needs of young homeless people. Some services include an open access service, supported accommodation, drug services, under 18s hostels and apartments across the city to offer longer-term housing for those ready to live independently.

The details: a conversation with Peter McVerry will take on Wednesday January 29 at the Twisted Pepper (Middle Abbey St., Dublin 1). Doors open at 6pm and the interview begins at 6.30pm. Admission is free and you just need to sign in advance to the invite list here.