FirstLight

FirstLight Free professional counselling to parents and families who have lost a child aged 0 to 18, no matter the circumstances. Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20017651

A person’s normal coping mechanisms are often disrupted by the sudden death of a child. The intensity of emotion can be overwhelming, affecting a person cognitively, physically, and behaviourally. Disruption in sleep can fray one’s ability to cope, making everyday tasks difficult. Some people experience flashbacks and intrusive thoughts and images. Feeling lost, hopeless, numb, or distressed can b

e very frightening. FirstLight is a trauma-informed organisation, offering a National 24-hour Helpline service, Crisis Intervention, and Psychotherapy service. Our services are provided nationwide by our team of professionally accredited, fully insured and Garda vetted psychotherapists and counsellors. Our team members are professionally trained to provide support to clients experiencing trauma associated with the sudden death of their child. All of our services to families are free of charge and confidential.

Some acts of love do not fade with time.They deepen.They endure.They keep going, step by step, year after year.In Novemb...
19/06/2026

Some acts of love do not fade with time.
They deepen.
They endure.
They keep going, step by step, year after year.

In November 2007, Breda’s granddaughter and Nicola’s daughter, Saoirse, died.

And for the last 17 years, in Saoirse’s beautiful memory, Breda and Nicola have taken part in the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.
What began in love has continued in love.
For 17 years, they have shown extraordinary commitment, courage and generosity.

In more recent years, as Breda has gotten older, they continued virtually — but with no less heart, no less purpose, and no less devotion.

Over that time, it is estimated that they have raised more than €18,000 for FirstLight.

That kindness has helped provide over 300 hours of counselling for bereaved parents and family members across Ireland.

That is the quiet power of remembrance.
That is the lasting reach of love.

That is Saoirse’s memory continuing to touch the lives of others.
On behalf of all of us at FirstLight, and all the families who have been supported because of this kindness, we want to say a heartfelt and sincere thank you.

Thank you, Breda and Nicola, for carrying Saoirse with you in such a beautiful and generous way.

Thank you for every mile, every effort, every year.
And thank you to every person who has supported them so kindly over the last 17 years.

Your compassion has made a real difference.

Your support has brought light into places of deep pain.

And your love has ensured that Saoirse is remembered not only in sorrow, but in hope, kindness and care.

Behind every walk, there is a story of love that continues.We are so grateful to Mary Kelly and Gerald Kelly for sharing...
18/06/2026

Behind every walk, there is a story of love that continues.

We are so grateful to Mary Kelly and Gerald Kelly for sharing their story so openly and bravely in this week’s Kerry’s Eye.

Their words are a powerful reminder that while the loss of a child is something no family ever “gets over,” no one should have to face that journey alone. Through their annual Mile in Memory Walk on Rossbeigh Beach, they have created a space of remembrance, connection and support for families across Kerry and beyond.

📖 We encourage you to take a moment to read the article and hear their story.

🚶‍♂️ You are warmly invited to join us this Sunday at the Rossbeigh Beach Mile in Memory Walk — whether you are remembering a child, supporting a loved one, or simply walking in solidarity.

We are honoured that our founder, Eimear Berry, will also be in attendance as we mark 50 years of FirstLight supporting bereaved families.

Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to walk alone.

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Mary Chris Kelly

15/06/2026

For half a century, FirstLight has stood alongside bereaved parents and families with understanding, presence and hope

At FirstLight, we believe no family should have to face grief alone. Our mission is to support bereaved parents and families with compassion, dignity and respect, and to ensure that support is there when it is needed most.

This video gives a short tour of our counselling rooms at head office — a welcoming space created to offer understanding, care and support to families after the loss of a child. The need for compassionate bereavement support remains as vital as ever.

If you or someone you know needs support, please visit firstlight.ie to learn more.

“𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.” – 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲The 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 began with one ...
11/06/2026

“𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.” – 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲

The 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 began with one family’s love for their daughter. Founded by Mary and Ger Kelly in memory of Zoé Anna, this special walk has become a place where bereaved families can come together in remembrance, support and understanding. Since it began in 2007, it has raised more than €30,000 for FirstLight while becoming an important annual gathering for families who wish to walk in memory of a child.

This 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲, we warmly invite you to join us at 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡, 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡, 𝐂𝐨. 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲, on Sunday 21 June. The walk begins at 𝟑.𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝.

Mary has spoken openly about how FirstLight, then known as ISIDA, became a lifeline for her family after Zoé Anna’s death. She also reminds us that this walk is a communal one — a place where people come for their own reasons, but walk together in memory, love and support.

This year is especially meaningful as FirstLight marks 50 years of supporting bereaved families in Ireland. For half a century, FirstLight has stood beside parents and families with compassion, dignity and respect, ensuring that no one has to navigate grief alone. Over the past 50 years, families have found solace, reassurance and connection through ISIDA and FirstLight.

We would be honoured to welcome all families across Munster and Ireland who have been supported by FirstLight or ISIDA over the past 50 years to this special occasion. We also extend an open invitation to all families who have lost a child, and to anyone who knows or supports someone who has lost a child, to attend and walk with us.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐢𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 by clicking here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/kerrymileinmemorywalk2026

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝.

💛 Together, we remember.
💛 Together, we honour.
💛 Together, we support.

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A record-breaking night. But for us, it’s what happens next that matters most. 💛The Lord Mayor of Dublin’s Charity Ball ...
05/06/2026

A record-breaking night. But for us, it’s what happens next that matters most. 💛

The Lord Mayor of Dublin’s Charity Ball 2026 raised an incredible €170,480.58 — the highest amount ever achieved in the history of the event.

For FirstLight, this means €67,000 — funding over 1,200 hours of counselling for bereaved parents and families across Ireland.
Behind every one of those hours is a family navigating the heartbreak of losing a child. Support like this ensures they don’t have to face that journey alone.

We are deeply grateful to EHL Experiences, and to Larry and Nora Murrin, for nominating FirstLight as their charity partner.
And a heartfelt thank you to the Lord Mayor, Councillor Ray McAdam, and his team — especially Fanchea — for their incredible support.

This is what compassion looks like when a city comes together.

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮.𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐚 — 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 59 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 — 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 ...
02/06/2026

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐥’𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐚 — 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 59 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 — 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.

Their decision to share their experience so openly brings light to a reality many families face, but few feel able to speak about.

👉 You can read the full article here: https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandwellbeing/arid-41852898.html

“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔.”

At FirstLight, we know there is no right way to grieve the death of a child. What matters is compassion, understanding, and support when it is needed most.

We are grateful to Daniela and Daniel for sharing Alma’s story, and to the Irish Examiner for helping raise awareness.

If this post speaks to you, please know support is available.
👉 Visit firstlight.ie to learn more or reach out.
You are not alone.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁?T...
29/05/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁?

Today, we recorded the second episode of our Many Voices of FirstLight podcast with Dr. Lewis King.

These conversations are never just recordings. They are moments where something deeply personal is shared — with care, honesty, and quiet courage.

Every voice matters. And sometimes, hearing someone else’s story can be the first step in feeling understood, or a little less alone.
Over the coming months, we’ll continue to record more episodes, building a collection of voices that reflect the reality and strength within this community. The full series will be released this September.

A heartfelt thank you to Carmichael Ireland for hosting us, and to our podcast producer, Paul Moloney whose care and expertise are helping bring these conversations to life.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 — 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘆.
📩 [email protected]

“𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟏 — 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈 𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐜𝐨...
27/05/2026

“𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟏 — 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐈 𝐫𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐡𝐢 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧.” 💙

On May 31st, Caroline Feehily will run in memory of her son Gene and in support of FirstLight at the Vhi Women's Mini Marathon

After Gene’s heartbreaking loss last July, FirstLight supported Caroline and her family through an incredibly difficult time. Now, Caroline is giving back so that other bereaved families can receive that same care and support.

🙏 We are so grateful to Caroline for her courage, love, and generosity.

👉 Please donate if you can, or share this post to help support her fundraiser. https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/carolinefeehily

Every step. Every euro. Every share matters.

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐤𝐲𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭We are deeply honoured and grateful to have been nominated as the beneficiary ...
20/05/2026

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐤𝐲𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

We are deeply honoured and grateful to have been nominated as the beneficiary of this very special fundraiser in memory of Ava Battye.

In August 2023, Ava tragically passed away. Described by her family as a generous young girl who always preferred to give more than she received, her memory continues to inspire acts of kindness and compassion.

On 27 June, in Ava’s honour, Christina will take on a tandem skydive with the Irish Parachute Club to raise funds for FirstLight. This is a powerful and personal tribute, and we are truly thankful for the courage and commitment behind it.

Importantly, Christina is covering the full cost of the skydive herself, meaning that every euro raised will go directly towards supporting families across Ireland who are coping with the sudden loss of a child.

At FirstLight, we see every day how vital this support is, and we are profoundly grateful to Christina and Ava’s family for choosing to support our work in such a meaningful way.

If you are in a position to do so, we would warmly encourage you to support this fundraiser—whether through a donation or by sharing the story with others.

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/christinabattye

Your support will help ensure that bereaved families receive the care, understanding, and connection they need during their darkest times.

From all of us at FirstLight—thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.

Please take a moment to read this powerful and deeply personal story.Today, we are honoured to be featured in the Irish ...
19/05/2026

Please take a moment to read this powerful and deeply personal story.

Today, we are honoured to be featured in the Irish Independent, sharing a deeply personal story of love, loss and resilience.

Amie Doyle’s courageous account of losing her daughter Áine is both heartbreaking and powerful. By sharing her story so openly, she is helping others feel less alone — and bringing understanding to the reality of grief after the loss of a baby.

At FirstLight, we know that behind every family is a story like this.
As part of our 50th anniversary, we remain committed to ensuring that families have access to compassionate, professional support when they need it most.

👉 You can read the full article here: https://firstlight.ie/losing-a-baby-it-altered-my-life-and-i-will-never-be-the-same-again/

We are so deeply grateful to Amie Doyle for sharing her story so courageously in the Irish Independent

If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out.
You are not alone. We are here.

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