Galway City Council has unveiled An Gairdín Síorghrá, The Garden of Eternal Love, a new memorial garden at Quincentennial Park, Salthill, dedicated to supporting families who have experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, and baby loss.
The garden provides a peaceful and reflective space for remembrance, comfort, and healing. It has been created to honour the memory of babies lost and to acknowledge the diverse experiences of grief and bereavement faced by individuals and families following such loss.
The design and development of An Gairdín Síorghrá was made possible through a collaborative partnership between Galway City Council, Councillor Clodagh Higgins and several national bereavement support organisations. The Council worked closely with Féileacáin, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Support Ireland; FirstLight; LMC Bereavement Support; A Little Lifetime Foundation; and The Miscarriage Association of Ireland to ensure the garden would provide an inclusive and sensitive space for remembrance.
The expertise, guidance and lived experience shared by the bereavement support groups played a central role in informing the design of the garden, inclusivity and the symbolic elements incorporated throughout the space.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Helen Ogbu, speaking at the unveiling said, “This is a beautiful space, but we must also remember why it was created, to provide a place of remembrance and reflection for families who have experienced pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.
For many families, this grief can be profound and, at times, invisible. Today, Galway is saying clearly: your loss matters, your child is remembered, and your grief has a place here. I want to acknowledge Councillor Clodagh Higgins, whose representations on behalf of families helped bring this project forward, and Galway City Council's Recreation and Amenity section for taking the project forward with such care.
Most importantly, I want to recognise the five national bereavement support organisations who were involved in shaping this garden. Their experience and understanding have ensured that this garden has been developed with bereaved families at its heart. I am particularly touched by the name An Gairdín Síorghrá - The Garden of Eternal Love. Because love does not end with loss.”
Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary, said, "An Gairdín Síorghrá is a meaningful and compassionate addition to our city. This beautiful memorial garden provides a place where families can reflect, remember and honour the precious lives of babies who are no longer with us. Galway City Council is proud to support the creation of a dedicated space that recognises the profound impact of pregnancy and infant loss and offers comfort to those affected."
Councillor Clodagh Higgins secured funding for the development of the garden in 2024 in response to representations from constituents on the lack of a dedicated memorial space.
Galway City Council is proud to support and honour the families, parents and loved ones impacted by pregnancy loss, infant loss and baby loss. The garden stands as a lasting tribute to the babies remembered there and as a place of solace, understanding and connection for all who visit.