'It’s an absolute tsunami for children': Helping kids deal with the loss of a parent 

A volunteer-led centre in Limerick offers support to children who have been bereaved. Rowena Walsh talks to a mum who says it greatly helped her family cope with the grief they experienced after the death of their father   

Anne Comerford with her children Caoimhe and Peter who benefitted greatly from the support of the Children's Grief Centre in Limerick when their father PJ passed away at a young age. Picture: Don Moloney

Anne Comerford’s daughter Caoimhe did not want to go to the Children’s Grief Centre in Limerick after her father died. She cried and was cross at the thought. But when the first-year student came out of her first session, she had already made plans to see Sr Helen again.

Today the 21 year old can’t emphasise enough the sense of welcome, safety and ease she felt while she was at the Centre, which is the only one of its kind in the country and is free to attend.