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 adults 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 and family members obtain great comfort from knowing that they can come to a meeting and everybody else there will understand exactly 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. These meetings provide a safe place which gives you space and time to remember your baby, and to hopefully come away feeling that little bit lighter.
Upcoming Support Meetings and Events:
We are currently doing Online Zoom Support Meetings monthly in addition to some of 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.
We are slowly starting to come back to our regular support meetings, if you would like one in your area then please express interest by emailing admin@feileacain.ie or filling in the below form. As our in person meetings are limited at the moment, we are continuing with Zoom for anyone that is not able to attend in person.
Next Zoom Meeting:
Wednesday 31st of May at 7.30pm
Upcoming 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:
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, 1st August, 3rd October.
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.
Limerick:
There will be a support group meeting on Tuesday 24th January 2023 at 7.30pm in the Greenhills Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick City, V94X2RV.
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.