*Shannon Airport lit up for Wave of Light || Inset: Louise Ryan with husband Greg and sons Jake and Luke
A LOCAL mother is urging more businesses and landmarks to light up pink and blue in memory of babies who have died during pregnancy, at birth or shortly afterwards.
Wave of Light takes place on Thursday, October 15, when families around the world light candles at 7pm in memory of their babies, creating a “Wave of Light” across different time zones.
Ennis woman Louise Ryan is hoping to see more Clare businesses and landmarks take part in this year’s Wave of Light. The event holds deep personal significance for Louise, whose son, Harry, was born sleeping in August 2025.
Louise, who has two other sons with her husband Greg, described losing Harry as “devastating”, saying there were “no words to describe what it was like”.
Last October, Louise and her family were still in the early stages of grieving and the Wave of Light meant a great deal to them at the time.
“It’s only lights to some people but it means so much to others,” Louise said.
The Wave of Light is coordinated by national charity Féileacáin, which supports families affected by pregnancy and infant loss.
Buildings and landmarks are illuminated in pink and blue, while people can also take part from home by lighting a candle at 7pm.
Louise said nine Clare locations had registered to take part this year, a significant increase on previous years.
Nationally, Féileacáin said 187 buildings across 26 counties had signed up to take part, with organisers hoping to reach 200 ahead of Thursday’s event.
Among those taking part in Clare are Quin Abbey, the O’Connell Monument and the fountain in Ennis town square, Bunratty Castle, Shannon Airport, Shannon Leisure Centre and Suttons Lighting.
Louise has also contacted GAA clubs in the hope of getting more communities involved before Thursday.
She said the increased participation was “huge”, adding that she wanted to raise awareness of pregnancy and infant loss and help families feel less alone.
“Show families that their babies have not been forgotten and just to show people that their babies existed,” she said.
Louise said many families across Clare were affected by pregnancy and infant loss, and people could be grieving quietly without others knowing.
“It’s a very lonely time,” she said, explaining that seeing buildings illuminated in memory of their babies could mean a great deal to bereaved parents who may be grieving quietly.
She hopes more Clare families will be able to visit local businesses and landmarks on the night, rather than having to travel to other counties to see buildings lit up.
“I just really want to try and get Clare more involved and represented because I know it would mean a lot to so many families in Clare,” she said.
“Hopefully we can travel around our own county and see all these lights lit up honouring our babies.”
Businesses and organisations with the ability to change the colour of their lighting can register for free by emailing waveoflight@feileacain.ie with their name and location. Pink and blue lighting is encouraged, although purple is also welcome.
Féileacáin publishes the list of participating locations and shares photographs on its Wave of Light Facebook page. There is no cost to register.
People do not need to register to take part from home. Louise encouraged anyone who wished to remember a baby to light a candle at 7pm.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time when families are encouraged to talk about their experiences and remember the babies they have lost.
