Hundreds of Kate Bush 'Cathys' dance in Fairview Park for Wuthering Heights Day fundraiser

Fairview Park in Dublin transformed into a scene reminiscent of the "wily, windy moors" as over 250 individuals, all dressed as "Cathys," convened for the annual Wuthering Heights Day fundraiser. The event supported Women's Aid, bringing together fans inspired by Kate Bush's iconic 1978 song and its accompanying music video.

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Trying to find your wife is like ‘Where’s Wally?’

Organiser Joey Kavanagh, a dedicated Kate Bush fan, noted that this was the 10th iteration of the event in Dublin, with its origins tracing back to a flash mob organized by the group Shambush at the Brighton Fringe Festival in 2013. Kavanagh brought the concept to Ireland in 2017, and its popularity has grown steadily since.

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This is the 10th year of us doing it in Dublin, but actually the event dates back to 2013.

Dancers donned costumes mirroring Kate Bush's portrayal of Cathy, the ghostly character from Emily Brontë's 1847 novel "Wuthering Heights." On Saturday, under sunny skies and 22-degree Celsius heat, the 250 participants performed the dramatic choreography. Kavanagh observed that the crowd size rivaled that of the first post-Covid event, which saw a significant turnout as people were eager to reconnect.

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I just love it because it’s just one of the most joyful events to be a part of.

Sarah Benson, chief executive of Women's Aid, expressed her delight with the event, calling it "one of the most joyful events to be a part of." The fundraiser successfully raised over €3,500 for the charity. Benson highlighted the event's "brilliant diversity," with "Cathys of all shapes and sizes and genders," emphasizing that while the cause is serious, the core message is about the universal right to joy and healthy relationships.

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There’s such brilliant diversity. Cathys of all shapes and sizes and genders.