The death of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth is devastating and the emotional pain is indescribable for all involved. The words of well meaning friends or relations can seem empty. In the early days of grief you are surrounded by friends and family. However as time moves on, people gradually return to their normal lives. You may feel that you cannot speak about your baby as often as you would like. You think that nobody can understand what you are going through, but you are not alone. Féileacáin support meetings are open to all parents affected by the death of a baby. Our meetings are informal; they are simply a place where you can come and meet others on the same journey as you. Parents obtain great comfort from knowing that they can come to a meeting and everybody else there will understand what they are feeling. Only those who have been through the pain of stillbirth or neonatal death can understand it. The meetings are a place where you can come and speak freely without fear of judgement. There is no pressure on anyone at a meeting to speak; it is up to you how much or how little you say. All our meetings are facilitated by our trained befrienders, who themselves are bereaved parents and provide you with a safe place to remember your baby and hopefully to find comfort in the company of other bereaved parents.
Upcoming Support Meetings and Events:
We are currently doing Online Zoom Support Meetings monthly in addition to our in person Support Meetings. If you would like any information on Support Meetings then please email our office – admin@feileacain.ie and we will send you on any information you need.
Zoom Meetings:
Our Zoom meetings usually take place on the last Wednesday of every month at 19.30-21.00. Our dates for our 2023 meetings are:
25th January, 22nd February, 29th March, 26th April, 31st May, 28th June, 26th July, 30th August, 27th September, 25th October, 29th November.
In Person Support Meetings:
Cork:
Our Cork Support Meetings will usually take place on the second Tuesday of every month in the Kingsley Hotel at 19:30-21:00. Our dates for our 2023 meetings are:
10th January, 14th February, 14th March, 11th April, 9th May, 13th June, 11th July, 8th August, 12th September, 10th October, 14th November.
Dublin:
The tough decision has been made to postpone the Dublin Service in light of the sad events on Thursday. We don’t want any families feeling unsafe coming in to attend our services. We are already looking into other dates to reschedule and we will keep you updated. Our Dublin wreath making workshop is planned for November 30th for anyone wishing to take part in the toy box appeal. Our thoughts are with all the families affected by Thursdays events xx
Our Dublin Support Meetings usually take place on the last Thursday of every month in the Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street. 19:30-21:00. Our dates for our 2023 meetings are:
26th January, 23rd February, 30th March, 27th April, 25th May, 29th June, 27th July, 31st August, 28th September, 26th October, 30th November.
Galway:
Our Galway Support Meetings usually take place on the first Tuesday of every second month in the Connaught Hotel at 19:30-21:00. Our dates for our 2023 meetings are:
7th February, 4th April, 6th June, 8th August (due to Galway Races) and 3rd October.
There will be a Pumpkin Carving workshop on Wednesday 25th October from 7.30-9.00 pm in the Connacht Hotel, Dublin Road, Galway.
Our Galway Christmas Wreath Making workshop will be on Wednesday 13th December from 7.30-9.00 pm in the Connacht Hotel.
Midlands:
Our 2023 Midlands support meetings will take place in the Annebrook Hotel, Mullingar from 19.30-21..00 on Thursday 23rd March, Thursday 22nd June, Thursday 21st September and Thursday 14th December. The meeting on 14th December will be a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop.
Limerick:
There will be a Memory Box Making Workshop on Saturday 26th August 2023 from 3.00-5.00pm in the Radisson Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick. Please email admin@feileacain.ie if you would like to attend this workshop.
There will be a support meeting on Wednesday 27th September from 7.30-9.00pm in the Radisson Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick.
Our spring service will be held in the Church of the Holy Family, Mervue, Galway on Sunday 12th March at 3.00pm.
There will be a support group meeting on Tuesday 23rd May at 7.30pm in the Travellers Friend Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.