Tree of Lights Ceremony Brings Galway Community Together

“As we begin our Tree of Lights Ceremony, we light this lantern. It is a beacon of light and hope as we begin the Christmas season. Just as this lantern radiates light, it also symbolises our values and ethos here in Galway Hospice – a place where all who need hospice care are looked after with dignity, respect and compassion. This Hospice is a living lantern that is constantly lighting — a place of refuge and care for all who need it in our community and county. As we journey towards another Christmas, we are united, and in our unity there is comfort, there is support, there is hope. Just as this lantern burns brightly, may light and love also shine in our hearts and homes this Christmas season.”

With these warm and reflective words, we opened our 2025 Tree of Lights Celebration last Sunday at Galway Hospice.

A huge thank you to our volunteer Tim Folan for delivering this beautiful reading, and to one of our Day Care patients, George Guest, for lighting the ceremonial lantern. Together, they truly captured the spirit of the evening and the heart of Galway Hospice — a place where our community remembers together, supports together, and stands together.

This annual celebration offers a meaningful opportunity for families and friends to remember and honour loved ones by sponsoring a light on our Memorial Tree. Each light is a shining tribute — a symbol of love, memory, and connection.

The official lighting of the Galway Memorial Tree was performed by Dáithí Ó Sé, a long-time supporter of Galway Hospice, who also made a special visit to our patients during the evening — a gesture that has become a much-loved tradition.

“Our Tree of Lights Celebration is a meaningful opportunity at the end of each year for our community to come together and remember those we have lost,” said Mary Nash, Chief Executive of Galway Hospice.

Galway City Mayor Mike Cubbard, also present for the event, shared his thoughts:

“The Galway Hospice Tree of Lights Celebration is one of the most cherished events in the Galway calendar as we move towards Christmas. For twelve years now, it has given the people of Galway a meaningful moment at the end of each year to come together, pause, and remember those we have lost.”

The evening was filled with warmth and music, thanks to heartfelt performances by Frank Naughton of the Galway Tenors and Jimmy Buckley, one of Ireland’s most beloved country music artists.

Galway Hospice extends sincere thanks to everyone who helped bring the event to life:

• Phil Grealish and Colm Cleary from St Columba’s Credit Union, Mervue, for sponsoring the event
• Coillte, for sponsoring our beautiful Memorial Tree
• TRIUR Construction, for transporting and installing the tree and supplying the truck used as a stage
• Martin O’Neill Electrical, for lighting up the tree with such care
• The Defence Forces, Galway Fire Station, and of course — Santa Claus, for making the evening truly magical

We are especially grateful to all who braved the weather to join us, and to the staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes — particularly our wonderful maintenance and reception teams.

Every moment matters — and this was truly a special one.