Champion dancer Andrea was a shining light in our community
By Maurice Garvey
DANCE corps from Ireland and the UK will gather to mourn the tragic loss of the twirling community’s ‘shining light’ Andrea Dempsey, during a ceremony at Le Fanu Park on Friday (May 3rd).
Andrea (22), from Ballyfermot, tragically died by suicide over the weekend of April 28.
Andrea Dempsey
Her body was discovered by her two brothers, just hours after she had been out with them to celebrate eldest sibling Warren’s 30th birthday at the Mill in Tallaght.
“We spoke every day with each other and called ourselves the tri-pod,” said Warren, of the close relationship he and his brother Roy (26) enjoyed with their little sister.
“With Roy it was actions and with me it was talking. Our mother is inconsolable, she was the apple of dad’s eye. Anyone who met her, knew her witty humour.
“Friday will celebrate a life that was full of vibrancy. She travelled throughout Europe with Kilnamanagh Baton Twirlers, was a champion dancer, with them since she was four, it was a massive part of her life.”
Kilnamanagh Baton Twirlers posted a series of tributes on their Facebook page to a “funny, caring and talented young woman with a beautiful heart and soul.”
“Andrea was a shining light in our Twirling Community and her passing has left a hole in our hearts.”
Citing a “devastating blow” for the twirling family, the group put out the call for corp members past and present, to support their guard of honour for Andrea’s remembrance service.
They also set up a GoFundMe page to raise the funds for Andrea’s funeral costs.
Andrea was due to attend her graduation ceremony as a carer on May 23 after her recent qualifications.
Warren continued: “She specialised in palliative care, working in the highest dependencey ward at Care Choice Nursing Home in Whitehall. She had the highest degree of empathy for people.”
The Echo understands Andrea lost a baby at a young age, and battled anxiety and depression, but despite this, always put others first.
“She genuinely had her own demons, what she went through, no young girl should have to go through,” said Warren.
“Her whole way of dealing with this was dance. Andrea always confided in Roy, helped him with his own personal issues, attended whatever she had to, they done it together.”
Andrea’s family hope to introduce a bench in Le Fanu Park with contact numbers for local mental health support groups.
“She always put everybody first and wanted to highlight the help that was out there for people,” said Warren.
“I have got a great sense of closure from words she expressed to me in previous messages on my phone.”
A service to celebrate Andrea’s life will be held at 11.30am, in Staffords Funeral Home on Friday (May 3).
Following the service, balloons will be released at Andrea’s favourite spot in the park across the road from her family home on Le Fanu Road.
Andrea will then be laid to rest at Newlands Crematorium.
A message on RIP.ie said Andrea is the beloved daughter of Ann and Martin, and loving sister of Warren and Roy, sadly missed by her extended family, boyfriend Gavin, her dancing friends and colleagues from Care Choice Nursing Home.
Anyone affected by issues raised in this article, help is available at
● Samaritans 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie
● Aware 1800 80 48 48 (depression, anxiety)
● Pieta House 1800 247 247 or email mary@pieta.ie (suicide, self-harm)
● Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)
● Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)
A list of HSE and HSE-funded services can be found at https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/
