Love Beyond Lifetimes

For our final episode in this series, we are joined by Nina, proud Mam to Liam and Grace. Following the devastating loss of her beautiful twins, Nina began working with Féileacáin, where she has the honour of supporting bereaved parents and, at times, meeting their precious babies. Through her direct and personal engagement with bereaved families, Nina joins us today to share insights, reflections, and suggestions for both parents and those who want to support parents experiencing baby loss.We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.As this series draws to a close, may the stories shared remind us all of the importance of remembering, speaking their names, and standing alongside bereaved families with kindness and care.

Today we welcome Loretta to the podcast. Loretta is a loving Mam to Roman, proud sister to Emmanuel, and aunt to the beautiful Katie. In this episode, Loretta shares the long and deeply sad history of baby loss in her family. She reflects on how generational attitudes toward baby loss have changed, and the profound impact it can have when a baby is not spoken about.  Loretta movingly describes the healing her only son, Roman, brought to her entire family, and speaks about how she will always be his loving Mam.  We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.

In today’s episode, we are joined by Catherine, loving Mam to Daniel and Rían. With honesty and tenderness, Catherine shares the story of her two deeply loved boys and the heartbreak of losing them both. She speaks about the uncertainty of pregnancy with a life-limiting diagnosis — a time shaped by deep love, fragile hope, and not knowing what lay ahead.  Catherine reflects on the sorrow of losing Daniel, and the trauma and disbelief of later finding herself once again thrown into fresh, raw grief during her pregnancy with Rían. She shares the emotional weight of hearing the words, “there is no heartbeat ” yet again.  Through it all, Catherine speaks of enduring love, resilience, and finding light in the darkest days, leaving listeners with a gentle but powerful message of hope.We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.

For today’s episode, we welcome Fiona, mam to Clara and Bobby.  Fiona speaks with great honesty about the complex emotions of twin loss — when one baby lives, and one baby is so deeply missed.  From early in her pregnancy, Fiona knew that Clara would not live, and she shares the heartbreak of carrying that knowledge while still holding hope.  Together, Fiona and Kilian had to prepare to welcome Bobby into the world… while also preparing to say goodbye to Clara.  In this conversation, Fiona reflects on the unique experience of parenting Bobby while grieving Clara, and how Clara continues to shape and influence Bobby’s life in beautiful and meaningful ways.We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.

In this episode, we are joined by Anthony, Daniel’s dad.  Anthony speaks about the devastation of losing his first-born and only son, Daniel. He shares the painful reality of preparing to welcome a newborn baby… and instead welcoming a beautiful baby who had died.  Anthony made a promise to Daniel, and in this conversation he reflects on the profound impact Daniel has had — and continues to have — on his life.  He also speaks about the volunteer work he now does with Féileacáin, and the often unspoken reality of a father’s loss.We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.

In today’s episode, we are joined by a mam who will be familiar to many of our listeners. Jacinta Murphy is a proud mam to Sarah, a founding member of Féileacáin, and a psychotherapist — but above all, she is Sarah’s mam. In this conversation, Jacinta shares the many blessings Sarah has brought into her life, and, for so many in our community, Jacinta herself has been a blessing.We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.

Today, we welcome AnneMarie, Max’s mam to the podcast.  AnneMarie shares the overwhelming disbelief and denial she felt when she heard the devastating words that Max had no heartbeat.  And yet, when beautiful Max arrived the room quickly filled with love, and pride, and tenderness.  In this conversation, AnneMarie speaks about the advocacy work she now does in Max’s name and in his honour.  She also opens up about pregnancy after loss when innocence is gone, fear is louder, and love is carried alongside heartbreak.

In this episode, we are joined by Luca’s proud mammy, Ciara. Luca is the much-loved third child and only son of Craig and Ciara, and she shares how quickly life can change — from the sudden shock of a placenta abruption that put both her and Luca’s lives at risk, to the precious memories of his sisters, Mila and Gracie, meeting their baby brother. She reflects on those moments of a family of five and the love that will always live in their hearts.We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.

Today, we are joined by Linda, Caoimhe’s mam. After the heartbreaking loss of her precious daughter, Linda further trained as a play therapist and psychotherapist. In this episode she speaks movingly about the devastating diagnosis of Edwards syndrome, and how she instinctively looked beyond the label — to the tiny perfect moments, the fierce love, devastation and hope that the beautiful Caoimhe brought into all their lives and to many others around her.We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.

For our very first episode, there was only ever one place to begin. Mairie Cregan is a founding member of Féileacáin and Co-Chairperson of the Board, but titles only tell part of her story. At heart, Mairie is Mam to Liliana and James, and a grandmother to Darragh — and it is through that journey of love, loss, and family that her story truly begins. In this conversation, she shares the lessons and the moments that have shaped her life — both as a parent and as an integral part of the Féileacáin family.We recognise that these conversations can be difficult. We invite you to listen gently and to mind yourself and your heart. If listening brings up strong emotions, please remember you are not alone, and support is available through Féileacáin in whatever way feels right for you.