The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support
Féileacáin is a not for profit organisation that provides support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during or after pregnancy. - CHY 19635 CRA 20077235
About Féileacáin
Féileacáin was formed by a group of bereaved parents to offer support to anyone affected by the death of a baby around the time of birth.
Support Services
Féileacáin provides support services for those affected by the death of a baby around the time of birth.
Memory Boxes
This “Remembering…” Memory Box is offered to you as a way to create some memories which you can then take home.
Fundraising
Each fundraiser is appreciated so much. Any donation can mean a huge difference to a family who unfortunately need our services.
Events
Féileacáin holds a number of different events throughout the year including support groups and...
“Thank you for the support you give to us, in supporting bereaved parents. You have helped us understand the families a little better, helped us love these babies even more. You’ve given us education, support and compassion to share with the families in our hospital, thank you so much. The Memory Boxes are just priceless to parents.”
“I received my candle in the post today. I was speechless, there were tears of joy.. It's beautiful, the picture doesn't do it justice.. And I will be lighting it for my baby’s birthday. Thank you all so much.”
“I received a candle today with my little angels name on it. I would just like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You don't know how much it means to me, I haven't got much support and to receive something like this has just been breath taking, to realize that there is someone thinking of me. Thank you so much.”
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to what you gave myself and my husband . We had no idea what to do but our remembrance box have given us so many memories to hold on to and we appreciate that so much.”
- Mary, Co. Cork
“Fundraising for Féileacáin has given me the chance to honour my son and give something back to other people who are parents to angels. We don’t know what we would have done without our Memory Box and the services provided by Féileacáin, when we couldn’t put one foot in front of the other Féileacáin were there to lead the way”
- John, Co. Mayo
“When we opened our Memory Box for the first time after the hospital, I truly felt like a Mother. Our Baby has lived and left a legacy for us, and we cannot thank your fundraisers enough for funding projects such as the Memory Box”
- Joanne, Co. Tipperary
Latest News
Féileacáin Wave of Light
Féileacáin are delighted and extremely proud to have over 140 buildings lighting up for the annual Wave of Light to mark Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on Tuesday 15th October. A huge thank you to each and every building lighting up in honour and remembrance of all our precious babies. Individuals can join in too by lighting a candle at 7pm and sharing a photo with the hashtag #feileacainwaveoflight or by visiting one of the places lighting up in your area and sharing the photo.
Civil Registration Act 2024
As Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Month begins Féileacáin warmly welcomes the new legislative changes to support families who have sadly experienced a stillbirth. These changes include a reduction in the criteria for a precious stillborn baby which reflects the advances in clinical care, a broadening of access to the Register of Stillbirths and the establishment of an optional public Record of Stillbirths. When Féileacáin formed in 2009 one of our aims was the opening of the Stillbirth Register so it is with immense pride that bereaved parents are now being given the opportunity to make their baby’s record public if they wish to do so. If you choose to start this process please email the General Register Office at StillBirthRecords@welfare.ie We would like to thank every single bereaved parent who has campaigned for this important change in recognition for all our babies. We would also like to thank Minister Humphreys for giving us the opportunity to share our stories on behalf of all bereaved parents and their beautiful babies.
“One of the areas which we have carefully considered is how we can support families impacted by the devastating loss of a stillborn baby and I want to sincerely thank the parents and advocacy groups for working with us in relation to these reforms. In particular, I want to thank Féileacáin for their engagement with me on this Bill” – Minister Humphreys
The new definition for a stillborn baby is that the baby weighs not less than 400grammes or has a gestational age of not less than 23 weeks and shows no sign of life. If your baby now meets this criteria you can choose to register them retrospectively at your local civil register office. For those whose precious baby sadly does not meet the criteria at this time please know that Féileacáin will always campaign that the advances in clinical care are reflected in this legislation.
For more information please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/e6c3d6-registering-a-stillbirth/
Galway Hospital Wave of Light
University Hospital Galway invite you to their Wave of Light on Tuesday 15th October at 6.30pm. You can join in person or by zoom, full details in poster. Light a candle in memory of all babies lives gone too soon