Tree of light and candlelit walk to remember lost loved ones

A GRIEVING daughter who was inspired to organise a special event in Navan to remember loved ones who passed away following the death of her father says hundreds of people united together in solidarity.

A huge crowd came together in Blackwater Park recently for Remembering Me Walk by Candlelight, the brainchild of Aoife Bradley who sadly lost her 83-year-old dad, Aiden unexpectedly in October.

Aoife said the event provided the opportunity for people to come together alongside others in the community who are also living with loss.

Local singers and musicians provided the soundtrack for the emotional occasion whilst attendees were invited to add a bauble in memory of their loved one to the 12ft Christmas tree donated by Aidan Jordan.

Speaking about the evening Aoife said:

"I saw that St Anne's Park does a walk every November with November being the month of All Souls. I lost daddy on the 5th October, and I thought why can't Navan do something like this.

"I thought let us all come together and try and give ourselves some comfort with everyone being there for the same reason.

"I got a beautiful 12ft tree donated from Aidan Jordan, we put baubles on it representing our loved ones and we had local singers. I'd say about 400 people came, it was just lovely to hear people's stories and I know I wasn't the only one missing someone this Christmas.

"The tree is still there so people can go to visit it all over Christmas and add a bauble for someone. I'd like to thank our wonderful musicians, Cathy Ann Cowley, Teagan Nolan, Rita Brogan, Ella Kenny, Kane O Rourke, Richie Brogan and Jennifer Leahy who played and sang absolutely beautifully."

The fitness guru says it was important to mark the first Christmas without her dad and to give other people the chance to pay tribute to their own family members.

"I just think with grief, it's never going to leave us but we need to learn to live with it," she said.

"It was just memories of dad I was thinking of all that night. Speaking to so many people who have lost children, parents, sisters, brothers and it was just so lovely. It was such a peaceful evening, it was absolutely gorgeous.

"Dad was my go to for absolutely everything, he was my first love, we were two peas in a pod, we had an amazing relationship. He was such a kind natured man and I just want to keep his legacy going."