When my younger brother Alan died suddenly, in a tragic drowning accident, I was eight years old. Looking back, one thing has stayed with me all these years: the compassion of other people.
Our home was full of people for at least two weeks. Strangers moved by what happened called and attended the funeral. Family and friends took over arrangements. Our community rallied around us.
That is something Ireland does exceptionally well.
When tragedy strikes, Irish communities show up. We stand beside one another. We gather, remember, comfort, and care.
Nearly thirty years later, I believe we have become even more confident in how we support people through grief. There is a name for this: grief literacy. This is about ordinary people feeling equipped to support one another after loss.
It means understanding that talking matters. That listening is often enough. That grief is not something to fix, but something people should not have to carry alone.
I was reminded of this while reading about the recent tragedy involving three people from the Mullingar area who lost their lives in Spain.
Moments like this remind us how deeply connected we are. They also remind us how much comfort can come from compassionate people who feel equipped to be present. Because even in the darkest moments, hope is often found in other people.