Anam Cara Supporting Parents after Bereavement

03/09/2026

Remembrance Event for Parents Living with No Surviving Children

We are looking forward to hosting our event on Saturday 12th September in The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co Laois.

This event is a day of support and remembrance facilitated by bereavement expert Peter Hanlon, a bereavement therapist who facilitates the family bereavement camps at Barretstown and has extensive experience working with bereaved parents. His work also includes the training of volunteers and the supervision of the support team for A Little Lifetime Foundation.

Join us for a heartfelt event where parents who have experienced the unimaginable, gather to support one another through the pain of losing their only child or children.

To reserve your place see https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/anam-cara-support-day-for-parents-with-no-surviving-children-tickets-1995457788963

02/09/2026

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄.

“𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙮, 𝙗𝙚 𝙅𝙪𝙡𝙮. 𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩, 𝙗𝙚 𝘼𝙪𝙜𝙪𝙨𝙩.”

Autumn is a season of change, but Anam Cara remains steadfast in our commitment to bereaved parents, even as we continue to grow and meet the needs of families across Ireland after the death of a child.

We invite you, whether a bereaved parent yourself, supporter, family member, or professionals and frontline workers, to join us on that path.

We hope this Autumn newsletter gives you a glimpse of what Anam Cara is doing this season, and where you might find yourself as part of that story. Here, bereaved parents can find deep support, understanding community, and open welcome. Here, nobody has to journey alone.

You can read the full newsletter at https://anamcara.ie/anam-cara-autumn-2026-newsletter/

01/09/2026

This week we have a Parent Support Group taking place in Galway on Wednesday 2nd September.

These groups provide a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space for bereaved parents to connect with others who understand the experience of losing a child. Whether you wish to share, ask questions, connect with others, or simply listen, you are welcome.

Join Us In Galway…
📍 Maldron Hotel, Sandy Road, Galway
📅 2nd September
🕢 7.30pm - 9.00pm





Dee Regan Isabella Wiessner leanne Milligan

28/08/2026

A massive congratulations to the wonderful Barretstown on the launch of their new strategy yesterday. It is a very important milestone and we wish you every success as you continue your remarkable work supporting seriously ill children, young people and families across Ireland.

We are deeply grateful for the friendship and support of Barretstown, and particularly for the very special role they play in our own community in Anam Cara.

Each year Barretstown support us hosting two 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀, giving our bereaved families, across Ireland, an opportunity to come together, connect and spend precious time as a family in a supportive environment. It is collaborations like this that truly make a positive impact on the lives of so many.

The space you create and provide, along with the support you offer, is most definitely magic, and your ambition to make psychological care a standard part of every seriously ill young person’s journey in Ireland, is remarkable.

Dee Ahern, and the wider Barretstown team, we are beyond grateful for your continued commitment, friendship and generosity. Here’s to many more years of collaboration.

27/08/2026

As schools reopen and routines return, many parents are reminded of the moments that should have been; the school runs, the new teachers, the stories about their first days back.

During these back-to-school weeks, we're holding all bereaved parents in our hearts and remembering the precious children who are deeply loved and missed.

25/08/2026

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹, 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘀, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟳.𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 - 𝟵.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺.

At Anam Cara, our Peer Support Groups are at the core of what we do.

These groups provide a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space for bereaved parents to connect with others who understand the experience of losing a child. Whether you wish to share, ask questions, connect with others, or simply listen, you are welcome.

Groups are facilitated by a bereavement or mental health professional alongside a volunteer parent, someone who has experienced the loss of a child themselves.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗸…
📍 Maryborough Hotel, Douglas
📅 9th September
🕢 7.30pm - 9.00pm

21/08/2026

We are sending a heartfelt thank you to Member First Credit Union and Clontarf Cycling Club for your incredible kindness and generosity. Your support will help us continue providing free, compassionate support to bereaved parents after the death of their precious child.

From all of us at Anam Cara, thank you for helping to ensure that no bereaved parent has to face their unimaginable grief alone.💜

Each year, Member First partners with Clontarf Cycling Club for a charity cycle that makes a real difference. This year, we supported Anam Cara, a charity offering vital support to bereaved parents who have lost a child.

Together, we raised €3,245 through generous donations from Member First, Clontarf Cycling Club, and our GoFundMe fundraiser. This money will help Anam Cara continue their meaningful work in our community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who cycled, donated, and supported this incredible charity. Your contribution truly matters.
Clontarf Cycling Club
Anam Cara Supporting Parents after Bereavement

20/08/2026

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿, with the first in-person meet ups taking place in Galway, on 2nd September at the Maldron Hotel, Sandy Road from 7.30pm-9.00pm.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀

At Anam Cara, our Peer Support Groups are at the core of what we do.

At these meet ups, you have the opportunity to share, ask questions, connect, or just listen, and meet other bereaved parents.

Groups are led by a bereavement or mental health professional and a volunteer parent, someone who knows the experience of losing a child. The groups meet for around an hour and a half, though if it is your first time coming to a meeting, we recommend arriving fifteen to twenty minutes early, so you can meet the facilitators, and they can learn about you and your child.

The evening centres around an open discussion where parents can share experiences or simply listen in a compassionate and non-judgmental environment. Tea and light refreshments are provided.

Most of our groups gather in quiet and confidential meeting rooms at hotels across the island providing a safe space for all bereaved parents.

19/08/2026

It means so much when we hear from our wonderful parents about their experience of Anam Cara and the services and supports offered.

“It meant so much to have that contact with other parents experiencing the same thing as myself. To feel understood and have that chance to talk about my child.”

Our meetings take place throughout the island of Ireland and are open to all bereaved parents with an emphasis on peer support. We also facilitate additional online bereavement support evenings with featured guest speakers who give insightful talks about parental grief.

Find out more at www.anamcara.ie.

18/08/2026

𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.

Taking place online on Tuesday 15th September, at 7pm, is open to all parents whose child or children have died, regardless of the age of their child, circumstances of their death, or time since bereavement.

During the evening we will be joined by an exceptional panel of local organisations and experts in sibling bereavement, including:

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁

Michelle Hartnett is a senior play therapist, systemic practitioner, and bereavement specialist currently working with LauraLynn – Ireland’s Children’s Hospice, with over 15 years' experience supporting families through serious illness, grief, and loss. Michelle holds an MSc in Systemic Therapy and an MSc in Bereavement Studies, and is a Grief Consultant with Middlesex University. She also holds a postgraduate certificate and diploma in Play Therapy from NUI Galway.

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘆

Anna May is founder of The Student Grief Network and Executive Head of Grief Programmes at Kaplan International. She lost her brother as a child and her dad as a young adult, and is passionate about improving the support that people get following a bereavement. Anna is also a writer and artist, interested in how creativity can help us explore difficult human experiences and build more connected ways of living.

We will also be joined by Childhood Cancer Ireland, Jacinta's Smile, and Rainbows.

To register your place visit https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/of6t-RhtRju5bzN9fQuIVQ #/registration