Remembrance Tree returns to Barrack Street as moving Carlow tradition marks 15th year

Rotary Carlow has officially launched the 15th annual Remembrance Tree campaign, with a moving opening ceremony held on Barrack Street last week.

The much-loved Carlow Christmas tradition was attended by civic, religious and community leaders, including Minister and TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Mayor of Carlow Paul Doogue, Bishop Denis Nulty and Rev Paul Fitzgerald.

The Remembrance Tree will remain in place through to Christmas Eve, December 24.

Those gathered were welcomed by Rotary Carlow president Peter Pudaite, who introduced guest speaker Eimear Ní Bhraonáin, award-winning journalist, Carlow Ambassador and author of The Dodger. Mayor Doogue also addressed the crowd during the ceremony.

In her address, Eimear reflected on Emily Dickinson’s poem Hope is the thing with feathers, linking its message to the purpose of the Remembrance Tree.

“Even in times of loss and sadness, hope remains with us - often quietly, gently, but persistently,” she said, describing the tree as “a space where love and loss meet, where memory is honoured, and where comfort can be found in knowing we are not alone in our grief.”

Bishop Denis Nulty blessed the tree with holy water, while Rev Paul Fitzgerald offered prayers for those being remembered and for families who are grieving. The Carlow Community Choir, led by Mary Amond O’Brien, performed Mary’s Boy Child and Silent Night, with members of the public joining in for the final carol around the tree.

Now in its 15th year, the Remembrance Tree has become a cherished part of Christmas in Carlow. Members of the community are invited to write messages on ribbons in memory of loved ones, including family members, friends, pets, or those living far away, and tie them to the tree on Barrack Street.

Since it began, the campaign has raised more than €80,000 for local causes. This year’s funds will support St Vincent de Paul, Éist Cancer Support Centre, Bethany House Day Centre (Alzheimer’s Society), and Delta Centre Carlow.

The initiative continues to grow with more than 120 volunteers involved each year, including 60 Transition Year students from St Leo’s College, Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Knockbeg, Presentation College and Tyndall College. Donations can be made on Barrack Street or online, with ribbons blessed at Carlow Cathedral in January.