On the evening of November 19th, on the ground floor of a building called The Chocolate Factory on the Northside of Dublin, Pieta House and JOE.ie hosted one of the most surprising events of the year.
Nobody who showed up on the night knew what to expect.
The speakers were told to prepare a small talk and given one piece of direction. It would be based on the theme of ‘the bounce of the ball,’ and the ball would land in several very different places.
Ireland rugby international Jack McGrath, artist Joe Caslin (the man behind that famous George’s Street mural in the weeks before the equality referendum), 2fm presenter Eoghan McDermott, former Cork GAA player and GPA Development Officer Conor Cusack and our own Paddy McKenna were among those to interpret the bounce of the ball in very different, very striking ways.
The mood of the evening was one of hope, and humour, and the sense that there are many different ways to be a man.
“We owe it to coming generations to banish the taboo that surrounds emotional health,” said Joe Caslin, whose stark, wordless pieces have appeared on some of the famous landmarks in the country since the turn of the decade.
Cusack, meanwhile, spoke of the importance of listening to people in trouble, of never judging them, and of being kind.
“With a bit more love, with a bit more kindness, with a bit more authenticity, with taking the time to sit, and listen, and be with other people’s pain. Then we can be the lanterns that can illuminate the path for people to emerge from the difficulties that they’re experiencing. None of us can walk another person’s path for them, but we can certainly walk with them.”
Eoghan McDermott has worked closely with Pieta House since revealing his own struggles with his emotional wellbeing.
“If we are to take one message with us it would be to reach out to people and take care of people and it does make a difference, even if you can’t see it,” he said.
.@eoghanmcdermo may have gone to The Button Factory instead of our venue, but he made it on time to #TheBounce pic.twitter.com/LOMgswStjJ
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) November 19, 2015
One of the most profound speeches of the night came from Gordon Grehan, communications manager with Transgender Equality Network Ireland.
Gordon spoke about how there are many ways to be a man, and how damaging stereotypes can be for people who are struggling with their identity.
His closing line, “we are all equal,” could very easily be the most significant four words of the year in this country.
“There is no right or wrong way to be a man. Who makes the rules about what is masculine or not? Why do we police each other’s manliness. You should never, ever feel less than others because you’re different. It’s trite, but it’s true, and it’s a thing I know for sure. We are all equal.”
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