Families affected by baby loss came together at Armagh Palace Stables for a candlelit evening of remembrance, with the event offering space to share memories, grief and support during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
The ‘wave of light’ event took place yesterday evening, according to the Belfast Telegraph report published on 16 October 2026. Parents and relatives lit candles in memory of babies who had died and spent time with others who understood their experiences.
An evening of remembrance and support
Laura Nelson, who lost her daughter Emily, opened the event by describing how it had grown from a wish to bring bereaved families together.
“Tonight has grown from a shared wish to bring families together, remember our babies and offer a little comfort through being with people who understand.”
She said the gathering was for babies lost during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy, including those whose names are spoken openly and those whose stories have been kept private for years.
“Your love and your grief matter and we’re here to remember together.”
The evening was described as “an evening of love and remembrance”, reflecting the purpose of a gathering centred on memory, compassion and connection.
Alisha Quinn helped organise the event and has established a baby loss memorial garden in Armagh over the past few years. She spoke about the death of her first-born child, Lochlann, who died in 2019 after she learned on Christmas Eve that his heart had stopped beating.
Quinn said the experience had been extremely difficult and that she later became involved in fundraising and awareness work. She said baby loss could be a taboo subject, making events where people meet others with similar experiences particularly important.
Families share their experiences
Quinn read a poem during the event, creating an emotional moment for those attending. One extract focused on the lasting meaning of a life that had been brief.
“Thought my time was small, I left something behind.
“A little light, soft enough to hold, strong enough to stay.”
Kirsty Devlin said attending helped her feel less alone in her grief and allowed partners and children affected by the loss of a baby to attend together. Her daughter Julie was stillborn on Christmas Eve 2023 at 36 weeks.
Devlin said people can struggle to know what to say after a baby dies, leaving bereaved parents reluctant to speak about their child. She said support such as that offered at the Armagh event could help more people open up about their experiences.
“Child grief feels like the most lonely journey in the world. Being with all these women has made me feel less alone and really really helped.”
She added that many women may still not talk about baby loss and hoped the gathering would encourage more people to do so.
Names remembered in digital display
The event ended with a digital display showing the names of babies who had died, while the names were read aloud. Those attending were then given an opportunity to talk with one another and share their stories.