Loved ones remembered and frontliners hailed at thanksgiving and remembrance ceremony

A special ecumenical service remembering those lost during the Covid-19 pandemic and acknowledging the heroism of frontline workers over the past two years was held at Market Square, Kingscourt, on Friday, March 18 last.

Organised by Kingscourt Community Development Association, with the support of Cavan County Council, the event was attended by representatives of the local Catholic, Church of Ireland and Presbyterian churches and was also addressed by Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor Clifford Kelly, and Chief Executive, Tommy Ryan.

In his address, the Cathaoirleach acknowledged the individual loss many people have suffered over the past two years and the impact of not being able to collectively mourn loss in during the pandemic.

“The communal grief and sense of togetherness that a funeral brings out in our communities is a great consolation to the bereft. And while an event like today cannot undo the grief many of us feel, or the sense of injustice some of us may harbour at missing out on giving our loved ones a proper farewell, I hope coming together to acknowledge that hurt and that loss will go some way towards helping the healing process,” said Cllr Kelly.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Tommy Ryan said hailed the efforts of frontline workers, and the general population in protecting the vulnerable in our society during the pandemic: “As we move forward and leave restrictions and lockdowns behind, hopefully for the last time, I think the best possible tribute we could pay to those we have lost is to retain that sense of community and togetherness that has sustained us during the past two years.

“If we can do that, we can truly say that, although individually we have suffered great loss, we will have emerged from this pandemic collectively stronger than ever,” added Mr Ryan.