FirstLight

A heartfelt thank Mary Chris Kelly and Ger Kelly for taking part in Many Voices of FirstLight last Friday, June 26th

It was a privilege to spend time with you both and to hear you speak about your beautiful daughter, Zoë Anna, with such tenderness, honesty, and love. We know that sharing a child’s story is never easy, and we are deeply grateful for the trust you placed in us.

At FirstLight, we know that when loss is met with understanding, presence, and compassion, families can feel a little less alone. Thank you, Mary and Ger, for offering something so meaningful to others who may be listening.

If any other family would like to participate in Many Voices of FirstLight, please contact [email protected].

Yesterday, our General Manager had the privilege of attending the Kerry Mile in Memory Walk at Rossbeigh Beach, alongside our Founder, Eimear Berry, and her husband Tom.

This was a deeply meaningful occasion for all of us, as it marked Eimear's first FirstLight memorial event in over 30 years. We were truly honoured to have her there, and to hear her speak so powerfully on the day.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mary Chris Kelly and Ger Kelly, whose annual walk in memory of their daughter Zoé Anna — and all babies and children who have died too soon — has become such an important and treasured gathering for families.

There was a quiet strength present throughout the day — a deep sense of empathy, compassion, and shared understanding. It was a space where families could come together to remember their children, honour their lives, and feel supported in the presence of others who truly understand their grief.

We would like to sincerely thank every single person who attended the walk, and all those who so kindly donated in support of FirstLight. Your presence and generosity mean so much to the families we walk alongside every day.

And to Mary Chris Kelly and Ger — thank you for creating something so special, so heartfelt, and so deeply meaningful. Your love and dedication continue to bring comfort and connection to so many.

💛 Together, we remember.
💛 Together, we honour.
💛 Together, we support.

Behind every walk, there is a story of love that continues.

We are so grateful to Mary Kelly and Gerald Kelly for sharing their story so openly and bravely in this week’s Kerry’s Eye.

Their words are a powerful reminder that while the loss of a child is something no family ever “gets over,” no one should have to face that journey alone. Through their annual Mile in Memory Walk on Rossbeigh Beach, they have created a space of remembrance, connection and support for families across Kerry and beyond.

📖 We encourage you to take a moment to read the article and hear their story.

🚶‍♂️ You are warmly invited to join us this Sunday at the Rossbeigh Beach Mile in Memory Walk — whether you are remembering a child, supporting a loved one, or simply walking in solidarity.

We are honoured that our founder, Eimear Berry, will also be in attendance as we mark 50 years of FirstLight supporting bereaved families.

Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to walk alone.

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Mary Chris Kelly

“𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.” – 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲

The 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 began with one family’s love for their daughter. Founded by Mary and Ger Kelly in memory of Zoé Anna, this special walk has become a place where bereaved families can come together in remembrance, support and understanding. Since it began in 2007, it has raised more than €30,000 for FirstLight while becoming an important annual gathering for families who wish to walk in memory of a child.

This 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲, we warmly invite you to join us at 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡, 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡, 𝐂𝐨. 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲, on Sunday 21 June. The walk begins at 𝟑.𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝.

Mary has spoken openly about how FirstLight, then known as ISIDA, became a lifeline for her family after Zoé Anna’s death. She also reminds us that this walk is a communal one — a place where people come for their own reasons, but walk together in memory, love and support.

This year is especially meaningful as FirstLight marks 50 years of supporting bereaved families in Ireland. For half a century, FirstLight has stood beside parents and families with compassion, dignity and respect, ensuring that no one has to navigate grief alone. Over the past 50 years, families have found solace, reassurance and connection through ISIDA and FirstLight.

We would be honoured to welcome all families across Munster and Ireland who have been supported by FirstLight or ISIDA over the past 50 years to this special occasion. We also extend an open invitation to all families who have lost a child, and to anyone who knows or supports someone who has lost a child, to attend and walk with us.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐢𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 by clicking here: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/kerrymileinmemorywalk2026

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝.

💛 Together, we remember.
💛 Together, we honour.
💛 Together, we support.

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