Dearly departed babies remembered

Churches in Nenagh district light up

All those little babies who died around the time of their birth were remembered in a special way in Nenagh and surrounding areas recently when local church buildings were lit up in memory of their short lives.

Saint Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh as well as the Church of the Holy Spirit in Youghalarra and the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Portroe shone out in the dark October night in honour of little ones whose life was so short.

The initiative was part of the Global Wave of Light campaign that takes place right across the world, when at 7pm on October 15 candles, monuments, landmarks and buildings are lit in the campaign’s colours - pink and blue in memory of those tiny girls and boys.

By dedicating one night to turning buildings and landmarks pink and blue, the organisers hope it will spark conversations about baby loss as well as support people affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death.

The lighting up of the three churches in Nenagh, Portroe and Newtown was the idea of a young Nenagh woman, Laura Gill, whose daughter, Nellie, was born sleeping on July 30 this year.

Laura spoke to local curate Fr Lorcan Kenny who was only too happy to row in with her proposal to light up the local churches to remember little Nellie and all the other babies who died close to the time of their birth.

“I really wanted to get this done and I am so happy this was a success,” Laura said, speaking to The Guardian after the event.

It’s the first time churches have been lit up in the Nenagh district to remember the babies. People can also light candles in their homes as part of the campaign.

Laura says she received huge support from the organisation, Féileacáin, following the death of Neillie.

Féileacáin is a stillbirth and neonatal death support group that was formed in 2009 and subsequently registered as a charity in 2010.

The charity was set up by a group of bereaved parents to offer support to anyone affected by the death of a baby around the time of birth.

The organisation is now the national charity supporting families affected by perinatal loss. Féileacáin receives no funding from central government, relying instead on the support of communities and the families who avail of its services.

Laura, from Annbrook Heights, praise the charity. “Féileacháin is an amazing charity who have helped me and my family tremendously. I cannot thank them enough for their support they have given me since Neillie’s death in July.”

Nellie is also fondly remembered by her grandparents Anthony and Angela of Annbrook, Nenagh.