Ireland’s Big Issue hits the 200th milestone mark
By Maurice Garvey
CLONDALKIN man Sean Kavanagh – publisher and editor of Ireland’s Big Issue – celebrated 200 editions of the publication this week.
Despite a rocky start, which saw Sean’s house filled floor to ceiling with magazines, he’s thrilled that the paper has survived to celebrate a milestone achievement.
“It’s been a quite a journey, but we’re still here thanks the public who have supported us along the way,” said Sean.
He continued: “In 2001, I was asked if I would consider resurrecting Ireland’s Big Issue after it stopped publishing due to financial difficulties. Having formally written for the magazine, I was familiar with the ethos behind it. I was also aware of the need for people to have a means to support and help themselves, especially those who had fallen on difficult times.
“Had I been aware of the practical and financial difficulties, I probably would not have taken on the job but as they say, ignorance is bliss. With the help of the previous editorial staff I managed to get a Christmas edition printed. That was the easy part.”
Securing a premises and insurance to publish the magazine in the city centre proved to be extremely difficult.
In the meantime, a truck pulled up outside his home with 40,000 magazines that had to be unloaded by hand, and carried into the house.
“That’s a lot of magazines, trust me. To this day I don’t know how we managed it,” said Kavanagh.
Faced with a significant print bill, Kavanagh contacted a Big Issue volunteer who had worked with him previously, loaded magazines into the car and sought out vendors in the city centre.
Three weeks later, Kavanagh finally secured a premises, and a few years later, he established Irish Street Leagues – a programme that supports people struggling with social or housing issues.
The best players in ISL are selected to play in the annual Homeless World Cup, and Ireland have consistently ranked in the top 20 under Kavanagh’s stewardship.
Kavanagh acknowledges the many challenges facing Ireland’s Big Issue in the “digital age”, but firmly believes the support for vendors is a vital outlet in today’s society.
He continued: “Supporting people who are trying to help themselves by selling the magazine helps them make their own way in life by working, not begging. That is why we encourage people to take the magazine.”
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