Two friends in Athlone area set up choir for parents who lost babies
Two local residents who each suffered the heartbreak of losing a baby have come together to establish a choir for others who have experienced stillbirth and neonatal loss.
The new group, named The Butterfly Choir, will be meeting for an initial 'taster session' this Saturday, August 30, from 1.30 to 3.45pm in Roscommon Arts Centre.
This first, commitment-free, gathering will be followed by weekly meet-ups on Saturday afternoons, from September 13 to November 1, either at Roscommon Arts Centre or in the South Roscommon Family Resource Centre.
The choir was founded by Dee McKenna, a Special Educational Needs teacher who lives in Tang, and her friend Lou Talbot Beirne, a project manager and facilitator based in the Rahara area of South Roscommon.
The friends, who were brought together by a love of singing and music, both lost babies to serious conditions in the last five years - Dee's son Elliott in 2020 and Lou's daughter Grace in 2024.
They describe The Butterfly Choir as a creative gathering that offers "a no-pressure experience" in which members will "learn to explore our voices and sing as a group while remembering our babies". No previous singing experience is required.
The choir was founded in collaboration with director Robbie Blake, a conductor, composer and singer based in the Gaeltacht area of An Spidéal in Galway, and it is also being run in partnership with the South Roscommon Family Resource Centre and Roscommon Arts Centre.
The workshops are being funded by the Arts Council's 'Artist in the Community' scheme, with sessions being provided free of charge for the participants.
Dee and Lou said the choir is designed for "anyone who has experienced the indescribable loss of a baby," no matter how long ago.
"This group is for you if you would like a positive, safe space to express yourself, create something beautiful to honour your child and connect with fellow bereaved parents through music," they added.
"Whether you're new to group singing, returning to music after time away, or an experienced singer, you're welcome here. Every voice brings something special."
The weekly sessions will include warm ups, singing and creative activities that will include exploring musical ideas, creative writing, and choral performance to express shared experiences of loss and grief.
"The sessions will take an inclusive, caring and adaptive approach to making music and artistic expression," added the choir organisers.
Anyone who may be interested in signing up for The Butterfly Choir can do so by texting 086 0750493 or by emailing: butterflychoir@gmail.com