With COVID-19 playing havoc with charity activities right around the county, cancer support charity, Recovery Haven Kerry, has chosen to move its annual Celebration of Light ceremony online.

The charity will host the event on its Facebook page tomorrow (Thursday) at 8pm and are inviting the public to join with them for the virtual ceremony which aims to celebrate those touched by cancer and remember those we have lost.

The charity, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has been working extremely hard to ensure that the uniqueness of this poignant event remains at the heart of the online ceremony, with all the usual prayers, readings and blessings remaining.

Among those taking part in the ceremony include Recovery Haven founder, Marian Barnes, the charity’s patron Dick Spring, 2009 Kerry Rose Sally Ann Leahy and Rose Hotel owner and valued Recovery Haven supporter, Eibhlín Henggler - who will participate in the ceremony from her home in the US.

The virtual event, which has been beautifully compiled by the Ballymac CE scheme, will be MC’d by Sean Lyons and will also feature a performance from Kerry Choral Union. The emotional release of candles and stones will also form part of the celebration from Banna Strand, with the valued support of Banna Sea Rescue.

“While we are extremely disappointed that we cannot hold our event at the beautiful backdrop of Tralee Bay Wetlands this year, we are confident that the significance of this very special event will not be lost in our virtual alternative,” said Recovery Haven PR and Marketing officer, Marisa Reidy.

“We have seen year after year how truly special this event is and how poignant the ceremony is to those touched by cancer, so instead of cancelling it altogether we were determined to offer the best possible alternative.”

The charity is now calling on the people of Kerry to join them on Facebook on the night for what promises to be a truly special virtual experience.

“Because people cannot be with us in person and release their candles into the water, we would love for them to light a candle in their home or community and, if they wish, take a photo and tag Recovery Haven on Facebook so we can share and acknowledge their valued participation,” Marisa added.

The charity is selling special anniversary candles at their house at 5 Haig’s Terrace Tralee between 11am and 1pm while a GoFundMe page will also be set up if anyone wishes to donate on the night in lieu of buying their candles directly, as they would have done in previous years.
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Meanwhile, two intimate Celebration of Light ceremonies will also take place on the same night at Tarbert Pier and Ballyheigue Beach at 8pm, but organisers are stressing that anyone attending these events must please adhere to all social distancing rules and restrictions to ensure the safety of everyone involved.