History

1999

In 1999, The Miscarriage Association of Ireland placed its first Memorial Stone in Glasnevin Cemetery, in Dublin. Our Memorial Stones give all those people, who never got an opportunity to bury their babies, a place to go on those special dates, anniversaries, due dates, etc.

In November 1999, The Miscarriage Association of Ireland held its very own Service of Remembrance in St. Theresa’s Church, Donore Avenue, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, and our Service of Remembrance continues to be held every year in November. Prior to this, the Service was held with ISANDS (The Irish Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) – now known as a Little Lifetime Foundation. ISANDS now hold their own Service every year in December.

2006

In September 2006, The Miscarriage Association of Ireland was proud to launch this website.

2017

The first support group meeting in Cork took place in July 2017.

2019

In 2019 The Miscarriage Association of Ireland provided much needed support to women and their partners.  Our meetings in Cork, Dublin and Galway are continuing to be a vital component of this support.

We now have 16 memorial stones in place.  The latest stone was placed in Donaghcumper Cemetery in Celbridge Co Kildare in November 2019.

Committee members represented the Miscarriage Association of Ireland at many events over the course of the year which helps to ensure that people know that there is support available.

Events attended were: The Irish Hospice Foundation “Living with Loss” events in Cork and Dublin, Services of Remembrance for the Rotunda Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, the Coombe Women and Infant University Hospital & CUMH and an Ectopic Pregnancy Information Evening organised by ULMH.

In an effort to promote the awareness of the impact of miscarriage as a topic of conversation on-line and on air, committee members gave radio interviews on Cork 98FM, Red FM, the Ray Darcy radio show, Galway Bay FM and Newstalk.  A TV interview also took place on Ireland AM.

Our Information book was revised and updated and has proven to be a useful source of information and a comfort to women and men who have experienced the heartbreak of losing their baby through miscarriage.

Our Miscarriage Teddy Bear was commissioned – a beautiful cream teddy bear wearing a white t-shirt bearing our logo of the family tree with the falling leaf representing our little babies gone too soon. The teddy bear was given out as a gift at our annual service of remembrance and is now available to purchase.

A record number of people attended our annual service of remembrance in November 2019. Renee Dilworth from the Coombe Hospital and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin spoke very movingly about the depth of grief and loss that miscarriage can have on women and their families.  The Service of Remembrance continues to be an annual source of comfort and a space for people to join together in remembering the little lives gone too soon.