CMAT Housing Scheme Appeals to Young People
CMAT’s “EURO-COUNTRY” Becomes an Anthem for a Generation Locked Out of the housing Market
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Dublin, Ireland – as the Irish government refocuses its National Development Plan on housing, a new single from Co Meath artist CMAT, “EURO-COUNTRY,” has struck a powerful chord with young people grappling with the nation’s escalating housing crisis. Released on the same Tuesday the Taoiseach declared housing the “defining social challenge of our time,” the track offers a poignant reflection on the lingering consequences of the 2008 financial crash.
Echoes of the Celtic Tiger’s Collapse
“EURO-COUNTRY” delves into the personal experience of the 2008 financial crash from CMAT’s childhood outlook, capturing the societal fallout in a small town. The lyrics starkly recall a period of economic upheaval, with lines like: “All the big boys/All the Berties/All the envelopes, yeah they hurt me/I was 12 when the das started killing themselves all around me/And it was normal/building houses that stay empty even now.”
These words have resonated deeply with a generation now in their 20s and 30s, who were children when the Celtic Tiger’s boom turned to bust. The song has become a touchstone on platforms like TikTok, with many young people sharing how the track articulates their own anxieties and frustrations.
Memphis Zuza, a 21-year-old student at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), shared her connection to the song: “The anxieties that she has are anxieties that I often have living in Ireland.” This sentiment is echoed by many who feel the economic instability of the past continues to cast a long shadow over their present and future prospects.
Darragh Greene, a content creator and musician currently living in Turkey, described the current climate for young Irish people as “bittersweet.” He explained his decision to emigrate was driven by Ireland’s cost of living and the perceived lack of opportunities at home.”I think this single is a good mix of emotions,” Greene commented. “The frustration, anger and unjust that young Irish people feel towards their government and the economy while also having a real love for the country.” He concluded with a stark assessment of his own future: “I don’t see a future where I’m based in Ireland.”
Andrew Corkery,a 26-year-old working in retail,voiced a common feeling of governmental neglect among his peers. He described the current reality of living in his family home, unable to even “fathom” moving out of his childhood bedroom. “As young people,we have been sidelined,shafted and completely neglected by the Government,” Corkery stated. “We are essentially locked out of having a sustainable future.”
The Lingering Impact of Economic Downturns
CMAT’s single arrives at a time when data continues to highlight the profound impact of economic recessions on young adults. A meaningful survey conducted earlier this year, focusing on 25-year-olds, revealed the enduring consequences of past economic downturns.The ‘Growing Up in Ireland’ survey found that a substantial 62% of young people were still living with their parents, primarily for financial reasons.
Furthermore, the survey indicated that over a third (34.2%) of respondents struggled to make ends meet, and one in eight individuals contacted for the survey had already emigrated. While “EURO-COUNTRY” is a new release, the issues it so powerfully addresses have long been a source of concern and discussion for young people across Ireland, painting a clear picture of a generation seeking stability and a future they can call their own.