Wave of Light: How Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day is being marked across Ireland tonight

Trine Jensen-Burke

This evening, on October 15th, landmark buildings across the globe will light up as part of an international ‘Wave of Light’ marking the end of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Week.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, grieving families will be prevented from gathering in person to mark the occasion this year, but are instead being asked to light a candle in their window, or share images of how buidlings in their local communities are lighting up and marking the day.

The idea of Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Week and ‘Wave of Light’ is, of course, to create conversations about baby loss, providing an opportunity to bereaved parents and families to talk about their precious babies.

Here in Ireland, Féileacáin, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland, say they are hoping to have more of an online presence this year for #feileacainwaveoflight.

On their Facebook page, they write:

“Please share any photos of buildings lighting up near you or candles lighting using this hashtag and we will know that although we cannot meet in person this year, we are not alone. We hope everyone can feel all the love and support for all our precious babies.”

As buildings across the globe will be bathed in blue and pink light this evening, here is a list of the buildings, monuments, and landmarks across Ireland that will light up tonight as families gather to remember, share and grieve together:

Aras Chill Dara (2 trees)

Arklow Bridge (Pink)

Arklow Courthouse (Blue)

Askeaton Tourist Office Limerick

Athenry Heritage Centre Galway

Axa Insurance Ireland HQ Dublin

Bank of Ireland College Green Dublin

Blackrock Castle Cork (Purple)

Boyne Valley Foods Drogheda

Bremore Castle Balbriggan

Carrickmacross Civic Offices Monaghan

Carmichael Centre Smithfield