Iarnród Éireann Marks World Piano Day as Former Pearse Station Piano Arrives at The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) Ozanam House
The restored piano will support a growing community music programme at the Community Resource Centre, backed by funding from Iarnród Éireann to run weekly classes for adults, children and seniors.
The much-loved piano that filled Pearse Station with music for almost a decade has arrived at its new home at The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) Ozanam House Community Resource Centre, Mountjoy Square, Dublin, just in time for World Paino Day (Sunday 29th March).
After years of delighting thousands of commuters, the piano has been fully restored and is ready to begin its next chapter. It will now play a central role in Ozanam House’s community music programme , offering creativity, connection, and learning opportunities to people of all ages.
As part of the rehoming, Iarnród Éireann is supporting weekly piano lessons for service users and has committed to continuing this support in the years ahead. The initiative will ensure that the piano becomes an accessible resource within an established programme led by music teacher Ronan Tierney, whose group-based classes for adults, children and seniors are designed to create a welcoming, inclusive space that reduces isolation, encourages participation, and builds meaningful community connections.
Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to the programme also includes ongoing free tuning from John Murphy, the piano tuner and artist who first inspired Iarnród Éireann’s public pianos programme in 2017. His continued involvement will help keep the instrument in excellent condition for daily use by learners.
Speaking about the new placement, Joanne Bissett, Arts & Social Officer at Iarnród Éireann, said: “Rehoming the original Pearse Station piano to The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) Ozanam House Community Resource Centre reflects Iarnród Éireann’s ongoing commitment to supporting arts, culture and community wellbeing. We are delighted to see the piano begin a new chapter where it will be played, enjoyed and learned from every day. Our continued support will help ensure it remains a valuable asset to the centre’s music programme creating musical journeys for years to come.”
Reflecting on what the programme means for the local community, Geraldine O’Driscoll, Manager at The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) Ozanam House Community Resource Centre, added: “We are extremely grateful for the piano donated by Iarnród Éireann. In this highly diverse community, music has become a shared language, helping to bring people together, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening social cohesion. The piano offers great support to the music programme, which runs two music classes a week.”
“The relocation of the Pearse Station piano, together with funding for lessons, enables us to offer meaningful musical opportunities to people of all ages. Music has the power to bring confidence, connection and joy, and this instrument will enrich the lives of children, adults and families who rely on our services”
This rehomed piano was first installed at Pearse Station in 2017 as part of Iarnród Éireann’s “music can take you anywhere” programme. Created to bring accessible live music to rail users, the initiative has since expanded to stations across Ireland, including Dublin’s Heuston Station and Connolly Station, Limerick’s Colbert Station, Waterford’s Plunkett Station and Cork’s Kent Station. The Pearse Station piano was replaced in 2025, with artwork by artist Sarah Edmonson.
