Main Pic: Pictured L2R are Bishop Michael Burrows, Church of Ireland, John Comer, ICMSA President, Mairead McGuinness MEP, Commandant Kieran Carey, ADC to an Taoiseach and James Healy, Macra President.

The annual Ecumenical Remembrance Service was held in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary at 2 PM on June 25 in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois to remember our loved ones who have died or have suffered injury from accidents on the farms of Ireland.

 

This annual event was well attended and has taken place since 2014. The service was led by Church of Ireland Bishop Michael Burrows. Local clergy were in attendance from the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland. The service was also attended by Minister Michael Creed, Minster Oliver Flanagan and numerous Agri VIP’s including the Presidents of the ICA, (Mary O’Toole), ICMSA, (John Comer), Macra na Feirme, (James Healy), Ulster Farmers Union (Barclay Bell),  and James Speers from the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster (YFCU).

Pictured L2R are Brian Rohan, Embrace Farm founder, James Speers, President of Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster, John Hayes Munster rugby legend with Barclay Bell, President of Ulster Farmers Union and Michael Creed , Minister for Agriculture & Food

The earth ceremony.  A number of families told Brian & Norma Rohan who founded Embrace Farm how they went to the scene of where the accident had occurred, where their loved one was killed, and brought a handful of earth from there to be include in the service.  

 

Everyone's earth was carried outside by the ICMSA President John Comer and Macra President James Healy to where a tree was planted as a symbol of uniting the loss of our loved ones in one place. 

 

The tree will stand as a reminder that we are on a journey together and that sharing our experiences through the support of Embrace FARM will help us to cope with the burden of loss that is so much as part of all our lives.

 

The symbols. The mix of people who are affected by farm accidents was shown in who brought up the symbols.    The Lyons family, Co Offaly, who lost their 5 year old boy brought a family photo showing that farms in Ireland are a family affair.

 

Patsy O'Connor from Co Roscommon who lost his wife Lucy brought his hat, a familiar sight on farmers and Carol Devereux from Co Wexford who lost her Dad Paddy brought a basket of food which farmers work hard to produce. 

 

Farm accident survivors Aengus Mannion who has gone through over 30 operations to be able to walk again and David Brickley who fell through a slatted shed also brought symbols to the Altar in representation of the animals and machinery that are a part of every farmer’s life daily.

 

Grief never ends….. But it changes, it’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith…. It is the price of love.

Pictured L2R are Brian & Limerick lady Norma Rohan, founders of Embrace Farm with Commandant Kieran Carey, ADC to an Taoiseach

 

For more information, please contact Brian or Norma Rohan Tel: +353 (0)87.234 377509966/ 086-8381427