Community of Cobh Comes Together In Remembrance

Top row left to right; Avril Quinn, Jimmy Losty, John Lawlor, Declan Higgins, Carol Doran Maher, Paul Devlin, Karen Conway, Jillian McCrossan (all from Breaking The Silence), Senator John Gilroy, Rob O’Brien (Breaking The Silence) and Conor Counihan (Manager Cork Senior GAA Football Team) Bottom row left to right; Retired Judge Michael Pattwell (Patron of Breaking The Silence), Cobh Town Mayor Jim Quinlan, John Mansworth (Chairperson of Breaking The Silence) and Graham Canty (Captain of Cork Senior GAA Football Team) – Photo by Martin O’Leary

On Saturday 10th Sept people from all parts of the Community came together in remembrance of lost loved ones to Suicide. The event was organised by Breaking The Silence to mark World Suicide Prevention Day and took place at the Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh. Due to weather conditions it was not possible to release Chinese Lanterns into the sky as planned, however a beautiful candle vigil took place followed by a minutes silence in remembrance of each and every person who has lost their life to Suicide. Breaking The Silence also wanted to give Community members the opportunity to listen to a range of speakers on the evening around the subject of Suicide which included Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People Kathleen Lynch, Cork Senior Football Team Manager Conor Counihan, Cobh Town Mayor Jim Quinlan, Evelyn McGrath of Cumann Na Daoine Youghal and members of Breaking The Silence Jimmy Losty and John Mansworth. Minister Lynch spoke of the importance of completing Suicide Interventin and Prevention training, namely the ASIST and Safe Talk Programmes. She also spoke of the importance of integrating mental health into the Education System on a more holistic basis starting in primary school. Cobh Town Mayor Jim Quinlan spoke very passionately of the importance of groups like Breaking The Silence as being a “beacon of light” in what is a very challenging area for us all and pledged that Cobh Town Council would be delighted to help the Group in any possible way. Conor Counihan was also very positive around completing Suicide Intervention and Prevention training which his squad have all completed. Evelyn McGrath spoke of being able to put her training into practice on at least three occasions after completed the ASIST Course. John Mansworth thanked everybody who had supported the group to date and encouraged people to consider the training at some point in the future. Other guests included the Cork Senior Football Team Captain Graham Canty, members of the media and the Site Leader for Pfizer Little Island and Pifzer Ringaskiddy, Seamus Fives.

The night also included the singing of “Let’s Break The Silence” an inspiring piece of music written for Breaking The Silence by local song writer and secondary school teacher Marion Horgan. The song was sang by the very talented Caroline Fraher who was accompanied by Dominic Finn. Caroline also sang during the candle vigil which was a beautiful addition to the atmosphere on the evening. Local musicians Pa Foley and Peter Piggott also played wonderful music in the background during the evening. As the event closed group PRO and MC for the evening, Avril Quinn launched “Listen” which is the latest Newsletter for Breaking The Silence and is available to everybody who would like a copy.

Breaking The Silence would like to thank everybody who attended the evening especially friends and families who have been affected by Suicide. A special thank you to the staff of the Sirius Arts Centre who were fantastic assistance on the night. For details on upcoming courses (all are free of charge) you can check out our facebook page “Breaking The Silence Cobh” or email breakingthesilence@gmail.com

Minister Kathleen Lynch speaking at 10th Sept Event - photo by Martin O'Leary