FirstLight

Call Directions Website

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 be 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.

16/10/2026

A weekly moment of remembrance FirstLight will pause every Friday to light a candle in memory of every baby and child who died far too soon.
Each light will honour a precious life, deeply loved, remembered and always part of a family’s story.
To every parent and family carrying the memory of a much-loved baby or child, we light this candle with you, and for them.
You are welcome to pause with us each Friday, to light a candle in your own way, or simply to hold a baby or child in your thoughts.
May every gentle light honour every name, every life and every love that continues. The Global Wave of Light occurs on October 15th at 7pm, we encourage you to light and share your candles online.
🕯️

💙 Meet the Team: Lorna Boyle, Clinical AdministratorThis week, we are pleased to introduce Lorna Boyle, Clinical Adminis...
16/10/2026

💙 Meet the Team: Lorna Boyle, Clinical Administrator
This week, we are pleased to introduce Lorna Boyle, Clinical Administrator at FirstLight.
Lorna joined FirstLight in 2022 and plays an important role in supporting the administration and coordination of our clinical services. Her work includes liaising with therapists and helping to ensure that parents, families and frontline professionals receive clear and compassionate support when contacting FirstLight.
Lorna holds a BSc (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy from IICP Dublin and is an accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Alongside her role at FirstLight, she works as a psychotherapist in private practice.
She also brings experience from a varied professional background, including work with an NHS community-based drug and alcohol service in London.
We are very grateful for the care, knowledge and commitment Lorna brings to her role and to FirstLight’s work with parents and families. 💙🧡
Over the coming weeks, we look forward to introducing more of the people who make up the FirstLight team.

Meet Our Board: Ciara Regan, Company SecretaryThis week, we are pleased to introduce Ciara Regan, Company Secretary and ...
16/10/2026

Meet Our Board: Ciara Regan, Company Secretary
This week, we are pleased to introduce Ciara Regan, Company Secretary and Chairperson of FirstLight’s Finance Committee.
Ciara joined the FirstLight Board in November 2018 and brings extensive experience in financial services, governance, regulation, risk management and organisational transformation.
An Equity Partner at Deloitte Ireland, Ciara leads its Insurance Sector practice and is jointly responsible for its actuarial practice. A Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, she has 32 years of experience across the insurance, reinsurance and consulting sectors.
We are grateful for the time, insight and expertise Ciara brings to FirstLight. Her contribution supports strong governance, careful financial oversight and the continued development of our organisation.
Over the coming weeks, we look forward to introducing more of the people who generously give their time and expertise as members of the FirstLight Board.

15/10/2026

Tonight, FirstLight joins the Global Wave of Light.

We light this candle in remembrance of babies and children who have died, and in recognition of the parents and families who remember them.

If you wish, you are welcome to light a candle, pause with us, or mark this moment in your own way.

May each light honour a life remembered and a family’s continuing connection.

Grief does not follow a single path or timeline.Some people may want to speak openly, while others may prefer privacy, r...
15/10/2026

Grief does not follow a single path or timeline.
Some people may want to speak openly, while others may prefer privacy, routine or practical activity. Families can respond in different ways, and those differences deserve to be met without judgement, comparison or pressure.
Common Myths About Grief and What Bereaved Families Wish Others Understood, written by FirstLight General Manager Andrew Mernagh, is now available to read on RIP.ie.
Read it here:
Common Myths About Grief and What Bereaved Families Wish Others Understood | rip.ie

Grief does not follow a set timeline.Some days may feel steadier, while others may bring grief closer again. Significant...
14/10/2026

Grief does not follow a set timeline.

Some days may feel steadier, while others may bring grief closer again. Significant dates, familiar places or ordinary moments can carry unexpected meaning. There is no right or wrong way for grief to change over time.

How Grief Changes Over Time: Understanding That There Is No Set Timeline, written by FirstLight General Manager Andrew Mernagh, is now available to read on RIP.ie.

Read it here:
https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/how-grief-changes-over-time-understanding-that-there-is-no-set-timeline-404

Children may not always show grief in the ways adults expect.After the death of a brother or sister, some children may w...
13/10/2026

Children may not always show grief in the ways adults expect.

After the death of a brother or sister, some children may want to talk, while others may need time, routine or support from a trusted adult. A child’s response may also change as their understanding develops.

Supporting Siblings Following the Death of a Brother or Sister, written by FirstLight General Manager Andrew Mernagh, is now available on RIP.ie.

Read it here:
https://rip.ie/grief-and-bereavement-support/supporting-siblings-following-the-death-of-a-brother-or-sister-405

Many Voices of FirstLight is coming this January 💙We are delighted to announce that the Many Voices of FirstLight podcas...
13/10/2026

Many Voices of FirstLight is coming this January 💙
We are delighted to announce that the Many Voices of FirstLight podcast series will launch on 18 January 2027, as National Grief Awareness Week begins.
Through deeply personal conversations, families share their experiences of grief, remembrance and the continuing bonds they carry with their children.
We are incredibly grateful to every family who has trusted FirstLight with their story and their voice.
🎙️ Many Voices of FirstLight
📅 Launching 18 January 2027
🎧 Available across all major podcast platforms
More details coming soon. 💙

🎶 Meet Claudia BuckleyHailing from Athenry, Co. Galway, Claudia is an award-winning vocalist and one of the leading star...
11/10/2026

🎶 Meet Claudia Buckley
Hailing from Athenry, Co. Galway, Claudia is an award-winning vocalist and one of the leading stars of Irish country music.
A three-time Female Entertainer of the Year winner, Claudia has achieved two number-one albums featuring popular songs including Diane, Come On In and her breakthrough single, Drinking with Dolly.
Following in the footsteps of her father, country music star Jimmy Buckley, Claudia performs with her five-piece band at dance halls, theatres and festivals in Ireland and overseas.


📍 Abbey Hotel, Roscommon
📅 Saturday, 17 October 2026
🚪 Doors open at 8pm
🎟️ Tickets €20, available now on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/baby-noel-heneghan-barn-dance-2026-in-aid-of-firstlight-tickets-2001191946984

09/10/2026

A weekly moment of remembrance
FirstLight will pause every Friday to light a candle in memory of every baby and child who died far too soon.
Each light will honour a precious life, deeply loved, remembered and always part of a family’s story.
To every parent and family carrying the memory of a much-loved baby or child, we light this candle with you, and for them.
You are welcome to pause with us each Friday, to light a candle in your own way, or simply to hold a baby or child in your thoughts.
May every gentle light honour every name, every life and every love that continues. The Global Wave of Light occurs on October 15th at 7pm, we encourage you to light and share your candles online.
🕯️

Address

Carmichael Centre, 4 North Brunswick Street
Dublin
D07RHA8

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+35318732711

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when FirstLight posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category