Tipperary carers are finding their voice as an inspirational new song is performed

An inspirational song written to give carers a voice was performed for the first time at a Mayoral Reception for a choir formed by carers in Clonmel .

The Clonmel Carers Choir performed A Carer’s Love at the function and tributes were paid to all carers by the Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr Pat English.

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“The amount of work carers do on the ground is phenomenal, and we decided to grant this mayoral reception to acknowledge the dedication of carers and show our appreciation for the invaluable work they do,” said the Mayor of Clonmel.

“Our choir doesn’t want to be the best, we don’t want to compete, we don’t want any pressure, we just want to encourage carers to find an outlet and discover what we have, that together we are stronger, and we all have a voice, and we just need to find it,” said Clonmel carer Sandra Gibbons who wrote A Carer’s Love.

Poems dedicated to fellow carers have also been written by choir members who have been inspired by the people they care for every day .

A group of carers and friends came together in September 2024 to form the choir.
Family Carers Ireland has facilitated the choir who practices every Friday lunchtime in Old St Mary’s Church, Clonmel
The choir is made up of different age groups, and is open to male and female singers. There are nine members in the choir and they would like to welcome new members.

The choir sing in local nursing homes and day care centres to give back to their community.
The choir offers carers a support network as carers do not have a lot of time for pastimes and activities due to full-time carer responsibilities and can suffer from isolation, carer burnout and mental health issues due to large amounts of stress.

Carers Barbara Kovach told guests that what started as a small idea grew and grew.
“At first, it was simply a way to find our voices. We were looking for a way to connect with each other, to express ourselves, and to step out of the shadows we so often find ourselves in.
“Many of us struggled with social anxiety. We’d spent so much time focused on others that we had forgotten the power of speaking — or singing — for ourselves. But through the choir, we discovered new skills, we found new confidence, and we began to overcome our fears,” she said.

“We have learned that as carers, we are so much more than the roles we play. We have learned that we are capable, we are talented, and we are worthy of being heard.

“To my fellow carers here today, I want to say: You are incredible. What you do day in and day out is extraordinary. And I know it’s not always easy. But I also know that you have so much to offer. Our choir is proof of that. It was born out of a desire to find our voices, to build our confidence, and to give back to the community. And now, it’s a living example of what can happen when carers are given the space to grow,” said Barbara.

Addressing the Mayor of Clonmel and other politicians present Barbara said carers didn’t just need recognition, they needed real, practical support.

“We need time for ourselves, we need accessible services, and we need policies that acknowledge the full scope of what we d0,” she said.

Sandra Gibbons told the guests at the mayoral reception that lack of family supports takes a huge toll on carers own health mentally and physically, carers were constantly worrying about the future as their children were getting older and they were concerned about what will happen to them when the carers are no longer here.

“We live in constant fear of the future, we are not living life only surviving as we live in fight or flight mode every day as we cannot plan for the future, our Government has no care plans for the future available to us now to quell our fears and all their plans are made in crisis management with no back up services available now to help us, supports will only become available when there is an emergency,” said Sandra who thanked Eamon O’Malley who produced and plays piano accompniment to A Carers Love..

Another carer, Mia , wrote a poem which captures the role of a carer.
“You wouldn’t change a thing about your loved ones or what you do,But recognition would help you muddle on through.
“You spend your life working, fighting and struggling, forgotten by Government, it’s totally puzzling,” is taken from Mia’s poem which is called “Don’t Just Listen, But Hear What I Say”.

Family Carers manager in Clonmel Cllr Richie Molloy said paid tribute to the group of local family carers who came together to form a carers choir .

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“The Family Carers Choir has gone from strength to strength in recent months and has performed in various nursing homes around Clonmel to the delight of residents and it was officially launched by the Mayor of Clonmel recently.
Mr Molloy said the Choir was always open to new members and can be contacted through the local family carers office in the Place4u Building in Gladstone Street.