Happy 6th Birthday IsaacOn the 17th November 2003 our 2nd Son Isaac was born silently into our family. Each year on his birthday /anniversary we would mark the day privately as a family. The years passed and our family grew bigger and we grew stronger so last year on Isaac's 5th Birthday we felt ready to celebrate his birthday publicly. We organised a coffee morning /afternoon tea the proceeds raised were sent to ISANDS who helped us through our grief in the early days and still does today through the website and discussion forum. It was decided that this would become our family tradition to celebrate Isaac, so this year on his 6th Birthday family and friends arrived to a table laden with homemade scones and cakes, good linen and fi ne china. Everyone had a great time, leaving with heavy bellies and light wallets, ?500 was raised ?250 for ISANDS and ?250 for St. Francis Hospice in memory of my friends Dad who died on the 13th November.Happy 6th Birthday Isaac.We love and miss you darling.Mammy, Daddy, big brother Joshua and baby brothers Luke & Joel XXXSusan & Daren HigginsCo ee Morning in memory of`Sidhbh JaneTara Donnelly and Hilda Myers, Tullow Co. Carlow held a coffee morning in December 2009 in memory of Sidhbh Jane Myers and raised ?420.00Beauty Treatment Night in memory of Ava Gary McKeon held a waxing event in Thomas Davison GAA Kiltiper Dublin in memory of Ava Saunders McKeon raised ?2,300Christmas Ra e in memory of MaximilianThe Staff of Teagasc, Johnstown Castle,Wexford gave the proceeds of their Christmas raffl e in memory of Maximilian Fenton and raised ?570.00 Fundraising Events organised in memory of ~Singer/songwriter Karen Taylor Good from Nashville, USA, joined by singer/songwriter Donagh Long from the West coast of Ireland in concert in the Sugar Club on the 7th December.A small group of family and friends joined us on the night to hear Karen and Donagh as they sang and played songs written about life's experiences.It was a pity about the numbers attending as it was a great venue and enjoyable evening. Our thanks to Karen and Donagh for sharing their music with us and travelling such a long way to do so.Friends joined us for Karen's & Donagh's Concertisands newsletter37

Pre-Christmas, following discussions with parents who contacted us, Glasnevin Trust scheduled to undertake a range of works at the New Angels' Plot. However our progress has been slowed due to the freezing weather and snowfall over the Christmas and New Year period.The following are the main activities undertaken to date or scheduled to be addressed in the coming months:. Removal of several trees on the plot by cutting them down to ground level. This has been completed.. Re-align the memorial plaques on the perimeter of the plot. Proposed for end of February 2010.. Complete the renovation of the pathways and kerbing in the vicinity of the plot. Proposed for the end of February 2010.. Landscaping the pre 1987 section to make the ground levels uniform and even. This is scheduled for April/May.. Landscaping of post 1987 sections will commence thereafter.. Glasnevin Trust assures all families of Angels buried in the plot that no graves will be disturbed during the renovation. The work will be expertly and sensitively undertaken as was the case in the work undertaken in the renovation of the Old Angels Plot, elsewhere in the Cemetery, in 2005. . The landscaping process involves the levelling of the uneven ground through the placement of 300-600mm of topsoil over the existing grounds and this topsoil will then be levelled to avoid any future subsidence of the plot. . We are continuing to improve all areas of the cemetery, including the area around the New Angels' Plot, so as to make the cemetery an even more dignifi ed place to visit.Grave MarkersFollowing discussions with a range of parents over the past months, one of the main issues raised is the desire of some families to be able to individually mark their child's resting place.The Trust has agreed that if any permanent marking is to be allowed (other than headstones in place at post-1987 graves) then it must be offi cially approved by the Trust, very discreet in size and style, uniform in type and capable of carrying an inscription. To date the Trust has identifi ed and suggested the "teddy bear marker" (image above) as being very suitable to achieve the above criteria and families' collective aims.Further feedback and consultation on this design or any alternative is invited before the landscaping works commence in the April/May timeframe. Cut fl owers are also allowed to be placed on the graves.Taken from the Glasenvin Trust website- Feb.2010Update on proposed work at Angels Graves in Glasnevin CemeteryService of RemembranceDonabateFr. Pat Reilly and members of the Community hosted a very special Service of Remembrance on the 31st January 2010. Parents, families and friends shared in a very meaningful celebration of their childrens short lives. There was a great attendance. Fr. Pat had a beautiful Book of Remembrance made to record all the infants names which was brought up to the Altar as a gift during the Service. The names of the children written in the book were called out during the Service. A special candle was also made and lit and each parent or family member was given the opportunity to light a candle during the Service.Afterwards Fr. Pat said " I feel it touched people at a very personal and deep level and please God they will receive the healing we all hope for them." Well done to everyone concerned and it was lovely to be invited and a great honour to attend. Service of RemembranceArklowFr. Martin Cosgrave P.P. invited a speaker from ISANDS to attend a special Service of Remembrance to acknowledge all the children who had died in the community. Damien Moloney a Member of our Support Team spoke about his experience as a bereaved Dad. It was a beautiful Service and there was a real sense of community and belonging about the night. Our thanks to Fr. Cosgrave for inviting us to be part of their special night.isands newsletter38