Longford Wave of Light ceremony to mark International Baby Loss Awareness Day

The Longford County Council building will be illuminated in the colours of pink and blue this Wednesday evening, October 15, from 7-10pm, in honour of International Baby Loss Awareness Day and the charity Féileacáin.

The motion to light up the council building on Great Water Street in the symbolic colours was originally proposed last month by Cllr Kevin Hussey at a meeting of the Longford Municipal District.

The councillor however was informed that the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) had previously introduced a policy preventing council buildings from being lit up for causes and that this particular request would have to be sent back to the CPG for review. Cllr Hussey told the council at the time that if the request was refused, he would bring his own equipment and light up the building himself, a move that was openly supported by Cllr Martin Monaghan who also offered his assistance.

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The CPG, who convened on October 8, approved the motion at the meeting and have confirmed the buildings will now be lit up in solidarity with bereaved parents and family members.

Cllr Hussey told the Longford Leader of his delight at the CPG’s approval of the motion. “This is a very important motion and something that the Longford public really wanted. As I said when I brought it forward, one parent told me that they can’t buy their child a birthday or Christmas present, but having the lights turned blue and pink is just a small way to help them grieve and remember their loved ones.”

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He added, “Following the Longford Leader article and the conversations that have taken place, it’s clear how many people, not just around the world, but here in the Longford community - have experienced the loss of a young child. I hope that this can become an annual event going forward. I’m very proud to have helped make this happen, and I would like to sincerely thank Andrea Donoghue and Imelda Kilmurray who run this very special event each year and work tirelessly and this is all down to them. I would also like to thank the members of the CPG and Longford County Council for facilitating it.”

A remembrance ceremony, Wave of Light, will take place in the ceremonial garden opposite the council building on Great Water Street at 7pm this Wednesday October 15.

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