Looking for something different to do on Easter Saturday? Arranmore Island is the place to be!

The annual Arranmore Walk of Remembrance takes place this Saturday. Here, organiser Elaine Boyle tells the story of the walk and what to expect from this year’s special event:

Well it’s that time of year again where we are getting ready for our annual walk of remembrance. It’s hard to believe we are in our 6th year. So far we as a community we have helped raise money for the Irish Cancer Society, North West Cancer group, The Irish Kidney Association & Good & New bus for Cancer patients travelling from Donegal for treatment, Our Children’s Voice and renovations to our Chapel.

This year, we have decided to keep the money at home again. We are raising money to buy two plaques and hopefully a bench. One of the plaques will be in memory of all our loved ones who are buried in all different parts of the world.

Walk of Remembrance

Unfortunately down through the years many of our loved ones have to had to leave our island. Some have been fortunate enough to return but unfortunately there are many who for one reason or another never got the chance. So in honour of their memory we will have a plaque erected in the old graveyard.

The other plaque will be in memory of our little angels that were taken too soon.

The walk starts at 1pm from the Community Centre the usual route will take place, but this is not a race so you can walk as far or as little as you like. Everyone gathers at the Community Centre for light refreshments.

It is a lovely way to remember all our loved ones and come together as a community. We have five candles which represent different stages of grief and these will be placed on a lovely table by children from the community and a wee poem is read out for each one. Then we release balloons in memory of our loved ones. It is always a beautiful day regardless of the weather.

We will have hearts on sale in the next few days for €2 or 3 for €5, on these hearts you write the name of the loved one you are remembering and your own name. Your name will be entered into a draw on Easter Saturday where we have some great prizes up for grabs.

The hearts will be placed on a tree and this tree will be taken to the chapel on Saturday evening and the tree will be blessed by Fr Liam Boyle. If anyone wants hearts you can contact Elaine on 0876227026 and you can pay by Paypal.

For anyone that will not be here for Easter and would like to donate some money you can do so by using paypal the account is elainebarney@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you all everyone is welcome to join us
Happy Easter