New book to raise funds for garden of commemoration

THE development of a National Garden of Commemoration and Thanksgiving in Salthill Park, Galway will help provide a place of peaceful sanctuary for Clare organ donors to remember their loved ones.

That’s according to the treasurer of the Clare branch of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA), Peggy Eustace, who recently attended the launch of a book that will help raise funds for the development of the new garden.
The garden, which will incorporate a series of stones from iconic sites to represent all the counties of Ireland, is being designed as a place of beauty, sanctuary and evocation to promote the work of organ donation in Ireland.
Having visited the site in Salthill earlier this year, Ms Eustace felt that in time. Clare donor families visiting the garden would have a view of the Clare coastline as they looked out over Galway Bay.
Ms Eustace attended the recent launch of Under Connemara Skies, Towards Light with a Clare family, who have benefited from the gift of organ donation.
“It was an honour to be in the company of such special people, who, through their generosity, have helped so many,” she said.
Under Connemara Skies, Towards Light was written by Martina Goggin in the two years following the death of her only child, Éamonn. in a car crash in 2006. Mrs Goggin and her husband, Denis, who live in the Galway village of Spiddal, donated his organs after their son’s death, as was his wish.
RTÉ broadcaster Mary Kennedy officially launched the book and described the poignant new collection of poetry and photographs as “visually and verbally astonishing”.
According to Ms Kennedy, it will offer consolation to those who have been bereaved, while highlighting the need for organ donation in Ireland. The Nationwide presenter launched the collection at the annual Clifden Arts Festival.
Under Connemara Skies, Towards Light also features a selection of photographs of Connemara sea and skyscapes taken by Mrs Goggin in the months and years following her son’s death as she struggled to cope with her loss.
“Martina was brought to her knees by the death of Éamonn. She went to hell and back,” said Ms Kennedy adding that the writing and photographs featured in the book offered Ms Goggin a source of therapy.
“Not only that, they are a wonderful tribute to Éamonn and a wonderful legacy. It’s a very moving and a very beautiful book,” she said and went on to describe it as being a masterpiece. She spoke of the hope and consolation the collection would offer those who have suffered tragedy.
“For people who haven’t been there, it makes us appreciate how tenuous our luck is and how lucky we are.”
Mentioning the love, devotion and friendship that existed between Mrs Goggin and her son, Ms Kennedy added, “Éamonn would be so proud of Martina and Denis and the wonderful things that have come from this terrible tragedy”.
These include the establishment of a website, strangeboat.org to encourage organ donation and the plan to develop the National Garden of Commemoration. This project has also secured charitable status.
Copies of the book may be ordered through info@strangeboat.org.