The Dublin branch of Samaritans last night celebrated 40 years of service to the city. At an event held in City Hall, attended by Lord Mayor Councillor Emer Costello and journalist and commentator Fintan O’Toole, over 300 guests commemorated the charity’s work, which began when the first phone call was taken on 2 March 1970. Also among the guests were Sophie Andrews, CEO of Samaritans in the UK and Ireland, as well as representatives of Dublin’s prisons – which are visited by Samaritans volunteers on a weekly basis – representatives from the main political parties, Dublin’s universities and the family of founder Billy Wynne.

Lord Mayor Councillor Emer Costello praised the work of Samaritans, an organisation staffed by trained volunteers: “Samaritans is a charity that has quietly and unobtrusively provided a vital service to the people of Dublin and indeed the people of Ireland over the last 40 years. Knowing that there is always someone there who will listen is of invaluable comfort to those in distress and crisis.”

Director of the Dublin branch, Maggie Hayden, spoke of how the organisation has moved with the times and adopted modern technology to ensure that as many people as possible can access the confidential emotional support provided by Samaritans. “In addition to contacting us by phone, letter and by calling into our centre, our callers can now email and text us. It is as important as ever that people have an opportunity to talk in confidence about whatever is on their mind – many of our younger callers choose to talk to us by email and text. We continue to reach out into the community through our Feet on the Street initiative and our visits to schools, hospitals and youth groups.”

Sophie Andrews, CEO of Samaritans in the UK and Ireland, pointed out that Samaritans reached not only the despairing and suicidal but also everyone else in society who knew that the organisation was there at all times if needed.

Guest speaker Fintan O‘Toole commended Samaritans saying that it was “a precious asset for a society to have” particularly at a time when illusions were being exposed and institutions had let people down. Quoting the Leonard Cohen lyric There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in., he said that Samaritans’ gesture was that it acknowledged the cracks and saw the light that was there.

About Samaritans

Dublin Samaritans is a registered charity that provides 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in distress or at risk of suicide. Samaritans’ vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged. Callers can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by phoning 1850 60 90 90, by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by writing to or calling in to 112 Marlborough Street in Dublin’s city centre. No appointment is necessary to drop in any day between 10.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m. For further information please visit www.dublinsamaritans.ie.