A MOVING poem written by the residents and staff of a Clare nursing home forms part of a special broadcast released online to coincide with the National Day of Remembrance and Reflection.

Carrigoran House has taken part in Reflections, a video released on the Nursing Homes Ireland YouTube channel last week.

Over 90 residents and staff from over 20 participating nursing homes including Carrigoran House in Newmarket-on-Fergus feature in the broadcast. Reflections, encompasses song, poetry, readings and reflections from nursing home residents and staff.

The poem by the Clare residents and staff recognises the power of our community throughout the pandemic and remembers all that was lost over the last two years.

It was written, “In recognition of the commitment and dedication our staff show every day, the understanding and support shown by our families throughout all restrictions and our residents’ resilience and courage in all they had faced.”

The poem is accompanied by visual images of life at the nursing home, showcasing how things have changed due to the pandemic, remembering “things we have lost and things that got us through”.

It expresses that the loss that was most greatly felt was the loss of family visits while looking forward to the future and the special times that will be shared. The video also issues a “heartfelt thank you to our residents, staff and families for supporting each other and working together to get us through these past two years.”

Speaking about the broadcast Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO says that residents, families and staff from the nursing home community came together last Friday to watch this very special broadcast.

“It marks a very evocative, emotive and poignant piece to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Recognition. Reflections has brought residents and staff together to reflect on what happened in nursing homes and wider society during Covid-19. Residents and staff were at the very heart of the pandemic.

“It is fitting their voices are heard during an important day during which we will remember those we lost during the pandemic and recognise the outstanding efforts of staff in our nursing homes and beyond.”

Reflections can be viewed at the channel YouTube.com/NursingHomesIre.

Nursing homes across the country on the National Day of Remembrance and Recognition displayed purple and green ribbons to symbolise mourning, sadness, pain and suffering (purple) and rebirth, spring and renewal (green). Nursing homes also hosted individual commemorative events to mark the day.