LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE

HUNDREDS GATHER AT WETLANDS TO REMEMBER THOSE LOST TO CANCER

TRALEE Bay Wetlands was the scene of a beautiful and poignant ceremony last Wednesday evening as hundreds gathered at the lakeside to remember and reflect on loved ones that they had lost to cancer.

Now on its seventh outing, the annual Recovery Haven ‘Celebration of Light’ is one which allows locals in the community to come together, light a candle in memory of their loved ones and send this candle out onto the tranquil setting of the Tralee Bay Wetlands lake.

They were joined on the night by a number of Roses and their Escorts, each of whom took the time to light their own candle and lantern while beautiful background music was provided by the Kerry Choral Union.

“Through this ceremony of solidarity and light, we aim to bring hope to our community. This is a very important occasion for our community,” said Recovery Haven founder, Marian Barnes, speaking at the event.

“It gives a very special opportunity to those who have been touched by cancer to come together and celebrate the lives of family and friends.”

After the candles were placed onto the water by members of the Banna Rescue service, locals were asked to take the stone that they had been given in their welcome packs and to release them into the lake – thus symbolically releasing them of their burden.

All photos by Fergus Dennehy. ABOVE: Patricia Walsh and Geraldine Duffy pictured at the Recovery Haven ‘Celebration of Light’ on Wednesday.RIGHT: Marie O’Flynn and Siobhán Murphy at the event on Wednesday evening.

Christine McAuliffe, Philomena Stack, Maureen O’Brien, Kathleen Collins and Marian Barnes at the ‘Celebration of Light’ on Wednesday evening.

Mags Lynch, Mary O’Carroll and Catherine Kerins pictured selling candles on a wet and windy Wednesday at Tralee Bay Wetlands.