Aslan to perform at Our Lady's Hospice Remembrance Ceremony
Light Up a Life Christmas tree switch-on on Sunday 6th December
Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services (OLH&CS) has announced Dublin band Aslan as this year’s guests of honour for its annual Light Up A Life Remembrance Ceremony.
Regarded by many as the start of the festive period, this special music and remembrance event will take place at Harold’s Cross Hospice from 4.15pm on Sunday 6th December. As many as 10,000 people have attended in previous years, to watch as the Light Up A Life Christmas tree is illuminated with thousands of lights which have been sponsored in memory of loved ones we have lost.
Today FM’s Ian Dempsey is returning as event MC and there will also be performances from the Army No 1 Band, the renowned Palestrina Boys Choir and mixed-voice community choir, Ceol Aoine, before Aslan take to the stage as headliners.
Mary Flanagan, chief executive officer of Our Lady’s Hospice said: “Our annual Light Up A Life event brings the whole hospice community together – it unites our patients, residents, families, staff, volunteers and neighbours who stand together to pause and celebrate the memory of our loved ones during the busyness of the festive season.
"We need to fundraise at least €5.5 million every year and by sponsoring a light you’re honouring your loved one, while also helping us to continue supporting patients and their families from our three sites in Harold’s Cross, Blackrock and Wicklow, as well as in the community. We are so grateful to all of our generous donors and partners who continue to support us each year.”
Ahead of their live performance, Aslan guitarist Billy McGuinness said: “We’re honoured to headline this very special event. Light Up A Life is an occasion that brings people together to remember loved ones, celebrate their lives and support the vital work of Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services. For Aslan, being part of Light up a Life is a meaningful opportunity to stand alongside the hospice community and the families who have been touched by its care, while helping to create a moment of remembrance, hope and togetherness.”
Aslan drummer, Alan Downey’s uncle Ben died at Harold’s Cross Hospice back in 2001, while lead singer Lee Tomkins’ father Eddie had been receiving community palliative care until his peaceful death at home earlier this year.
Funds raised during Light Up A Life will support the services provided by Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, which covers a catchment area of over one million people across south Dublin and Wicklow. During 2025, OLH&CS provided care to 5,331 patients and their families. Over 16,200 Specialist Palliative homecare visits were provided to patients last year, and respite was provided for 139 patients with dementia. 569 life-enhancing infusions were also carried out by the Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Unit.
The Light Up A Life Remembrance Ceremony takes place on 6th December from 4.15pm on the grounds of Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, Harold’s Cross. It’s free to attend and all are welcome but there will be no parking available on the site, which is well served by public transport.
The names of those remembered through sponsored lights will also be displayed online. To sponsor a light and view a large selection of festive decorations, cards and pins for sale, please visit www.lightupalife.ie