12/12/2024
MOYROSS LOVINGLY REMEMBERS THOSE WHO DIED AS CHILDREN
Story and videos by Allen Meagher Journalist
Moyross is unusual in having a Marian Shrine dedicated to remembering local children who are deceased and on Monday close to a hundred people gathered at the shrine to light candles and remember each and every one of them.
People wept as the names of at least 50 children and young people were read out.
“It was very meaningful and very emotional for some people,” said Jason Craig, one of the organisers, speaking in the Ballygrennan estate where the shrine dedicated “to the loving memory of all the deceased children of Moyross” was built in 1997.
The deaths were as a result of medical issues, traffic accidents, drownings, accidents on holidays, miscarriages, cancer and criminal acts.
“It is a very large number of young people to die for one community,” said Jason, who was appointed manager of Moyross Community Centre in August. “However, there haven’t been as many of those funerals in recent times, which is a sad way to have to measure something, but it’s the only way you can.”
Community leaders had written to the bereaved families of those who died and the event was held to show people they were not forgotten.
After the ceremony in Ballygrenan people walked to Delmege Park where prayers were said and then everyone trooped back to a joyful party at the community centre where Corpus Christi school-children sang their hearts out, food was served and raffle prizes handed out.
SYMBOLIC WALK
“The walk symbolises how people have walked with each other over generations in times of difficulty,” said Fr Pat Hogan, parish priest. “It symbolises how, as we walk together as a community, we grow in strength, grow in goodness and create a place that is good for children.”
While community leaders still have concerns – for example around crucial long-term government funding for community projects – the area is changing radically. Many good homes were knocked despite the housing crisis in Ireland, but demolition has now stopped and many new homes and apartment blocks have been built or are under construction. Facilities in the area have been expanded and upgraded, including the community centre, the primary school, the shopping centre and Moyross Youth Academy.
“Moyross is miles ahead of where it was,” said Jason. “It’s a much better place nowadays. There was a time when houses here sold for a few thousand euro: Now you have over 300 people on the waiting list. You have people actively wanting to move their families here. That really marks a change of outlook.”
KEEPING MEMORIES ALIVE
Anne-Marie O’Connor who works with the local Community Companions project said the ceremony at the shrine where 61 candles were lit was “poignant but nice”.
“Lighting the candles keeps their names alive, it keeps their memory alive,” she said. “Each family received their own letter inviting them to take part and to let them know that their family member’s name would be read out at the service. There was also space for anyone else’s name to be called out too”.
It was a heartfelt day for many.
“Today for me was probably five or six years in the making,” said Jason. Having grown up locally, and having worked for five years as the family support worker in Corpus Christi N.S. prior to becoming manager of the centre, he understands the hardships families face.
“I know very well how difficult this time of year is for many people in the community. We are here to journey with them and to support people,” he added.
He praised community centre staff for helping to organise the multi-faceted event which he hopes will become an annual event.
“The majority of people that work here are from the community and we all know how important this is to people,” he said.
REMEMBER ME TREE
Meanwhile, a ‘Remember Me’ Christmas tree set up in the foyer of the community centre has proven so popular that a second tree was ordered as local people came to write the names of deceased loved ones on red ribbons and place them on the tree. People are also visiting to read the names of the many who have passed away locally over the decades and to remember them.
“It is creating conversations,” said Jason.
He wished everyone a safe and enjoyable Christmas and a happy new year.
The centre closes on December 20 and re-opens on January 2. The ‘Remember Me’ tree will be moved to the parish church when the centre closes.
The new year is already looking bright as it was revealed in late November that funding for community groups through Limerick City and County Council’s Social Intervention Fund is secure for another year. Details are available on the council’s website (at this link) about the criteria for groups to apply. The deadline is Monday, January 13.
