CRY Ireland’s Family Day at the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens, Kildare Town
Saturday 15th April 2023
Our hope for this day was that each and every person or family would go away with a sense that none of us are alone on a difficult journey. Whether you have been affected by the loss of a loved one through Sudden Cardiac Death or you are living with a lifestyle change because of a diagnosis of an inherited cardiac condition, the hope for the day was that each and every person would go away not fixed or healed, but that we might all find a nugget of solace and a sense that none of us are alone. For some, sharing a personal story with someone else who has had a very similar experience can be very meaningful. For many, this Family Day was about opening up the conservation “how do I live with this loss?”, “how do we go on?” For the children, an adventure through the stud farm experiencing the mares and foals was experienced. This offered and facilitated a safe space for each child to express their own personal feelings of sadness, anger, loss, worry and anxiousness through crafts and play. The experience for children and young people to meet with others of similar age who have experienced similar loss and feelings of sadness was an important part of this very special day.
Thank you to those who made this day so special and memorable through their donations. Thanks to our Guest Speaker Brid Carroll and the wonderful counsellors and facilitators who supported our families on the day. Thank you to Newbridge Gospel Choir for providing beautiful reflective and uplifting music. To all those who helped in the preparation of the event including our wonderful volunteers and their families. Thank you to Natalie at Gourmet Goodies at the INS for the delicious food on the day and finally to Cathal Beale and all staff at the Irish National Stud for their ongoing support and generosity to CRY. 
