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Chief Executive of the Rose of Tralee Festival Anthony O’Gara with Maureen O’Brien and Dermot Crowley of Recovery Haven launching Celebration of Light at the Wetlands on Monday. Photo by Joe Hanley
CANCER support charity, Recovery Haven Kerry, is extending a warm invitation to the people of Kerry to join them at Tralee Bay Wetlands on Thursday, August 22nd for their eighth annual Celebration of Light ceremony.
Run in conjunction with the Rose of Tralee Festival and Kerry Choral Union, this poignant candle-lighting ceremony has become a hugely important event for those touched by cancer, offering them a welcome opportunity to come together to share experiences and celebrate the lives of family and friends.
This year’s ceremony will commence at 7.30pm with a performance by Kerry Choral Union, followed by the symbolic lighting and release of candles on the water.
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The candles will be available to buy on the night or at Recovery Haven in Tralee in advance of the event.
2018 Rose of Tralee Kirsten Mate Maher will be the special guest on the evening, while several of this year’s Roses and escorts, along with Rose of Tralee Chief Executive, Anthony O’Gara, will also be present for this very special event.
Recovery Haven Kerry manager, Siobhan MacSweeney said that this very moving ceremony creates a great meeting point for people who have been affected by cancer, either personally or through someone they love.
“The symbolic lighting of candles creates a very special atmosphere, whereby people are united and hope is renewed,” she said. “Through solidarity and light, our sincere aim is to being hope to our community in a time when, perhaps, they may be struggling to find some.”
Recovery Haven Kerry delivers caring and therapeutic services to those who are experiencing cancer, their families and carers free of charge in a tranquil and safe environment in Tralee – with outreach services in Killarney and most recently Killorglin.
Last year, there were just over 3,800 attendances to our cancer support centres across the county – a record for the charity. In that time, Recovery Haven Kerry provided hundreds of free counselling sessions to men, women and children, as well hundreds of sessions of complementary therapies.
