Remember your beloved ones – and fill the sky with love this Christmas

By Mary Dennehy

A SPECIAL event is being held in Bohernabreena cemetery on Christmas Eve, with those facing the festive season without their loved ones being invited to release balloons in memory of them.

Called Fill the Sky with Love this Christmas Eve, the event was created last year by Ballyroan resident Miranda Comerford, who lost her baby and her brother in 2015 – both of whom are laid to rest in Bohernabreena.

Miranda told The Echo that while every day is a struggle for those living without a loved one, Christmas can add to that sense of loss.

She hopes that Fill the Sky with Love will provide people with the support and strength needed to face Christmas Day, while also giving families a way to remember their loved one by giving them the gift of a balloon on December 24.

A number of people have supported Miranda in organising the event again this year, including Laura O’Reilly and Michelle Quinn, who both have loved ones in Bohernabreena cemetery.

Michelle told The Echo: “Anybody who has a loved one buried in Bohernabreena and who would like to release a balloon up to them for Christmas is invited to come along – we’ll let all of the balloons off together for our loved ones.

“Last year’s event was really lovely and for me, I felt like I was doing something to remember my loved one and that they weren’t forgotten at Christmas.”

Fill the Sky with Love this Christmas Eve is on from 3pm to 4pm in Bohernabreena Cemetery on Saturday, December 24.

People are invited to bring their own helium balloons of any colour to the graveyard on Christmas Eve, and to also give themselves plenty of time in case traffic is heavy.

Car parking is provided at the cemetery – last year gardaí supported the event and managed traffic.

For further details visit the Fill the Sky with Love this Christmas Even Facebook page.