EMBRACE founder Norma Rohan; Bishop Denis Nulty and John, Sally and Bill Hayes at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Sunday 29th June 2025.
Photograph: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.
The church in Abbeyleix hosted a full house again last Sunday as people travelled from all over the country for the annual Embrace FARM remembrance service.
Over the past 12 years, this service has become a pillar event for Embrace FARM, providing comfort for families impacted by a serious injury or sudden death within their family unity, and cherishing their memory.
Honouring the tradition of adding names to the Remembrance List, Embrace FARM asked families around the country to submit the names of their deceased loved ones to be read aloud and remembered during the service. Over 350 names were honoured in the roll call.
Norma Rohan, Co-founder of Embrace FARM, reflected on the organisation’s growth over the past 12 years: “Our community has faced unimaginable loss, and our Remembrance Service offers a safe, non-judgemental space for people who have had a similar experience to gather together and remember loved ones lost.
“Each name read aloud represents a cherished life and a family forever changed. Our commitment is to ensure that farm families impacted by serious injury or sudden death have a support system to walk this journey with them.”
Embrace FARM was established by husband and wife, Brian and Norma Rohan from Shanahoe in 2014, following the tragic loss of Brian’s father Liam in a farming accident.
The not-for-profit organisation is the first of its kind to support the farming community and families of Ireland who, like them have experienced the impact of serious injury and sudden death. Each year, an ecumenical remembrance service takes place for those who have suddenly lost a loved one in the farming community.
From the first annual Remembrance Service in 2014, the network has expanded nationwide and evolved its services to meet the needs of Irish farm families in the aftermath of a sudden incident. The organisation has engaged more than 600 farm families with its comforting and supportive embrace.
Among those in attendance at this year’s ceremony were Minister of State for Agriculture Michael Healy-Rae as well as Commandant Joseph Glennon, Aide de Comp for Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
Also present were IFA President Francie Gorman and MEPs Ciaran Mullooly and Nina Carberry.
An Taoiseach’s ADC Commandant Joseph Glennon presents a wreath to Michael and Catherine Whelton from Kilbrittain, Co Cork (in memory of Diarmuid who died in a farm accident in 1990) at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf HarveyThe Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf HarveyEmbrace FARM founder Brian Rohan at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Michael Healy Rae TD lights candles at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey
Bishop Denis Nulty with the clergy at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, Sunday 29th June 2025. Photograph: Alf HarveyEMBRACE founder Norma Rohan; Bishop Denis Nulty and John, Sally and Bill Hayes at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary. Photograph: Alf HarveyMEP Nina Carberry; MEP Ciaran Mullooly; IFA president Francie Gorman and Embrace FARM founders Norma and Brian Rohan at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix Photograph: Alf HarveyMembers of Spink CEE playing at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix Photograph: Alf Harvey
Tirlán board member Tom Phelan, Brian Rohan and Tony Delaney from Embrace FARM at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey
Zoe, Dáithí, Alannah and Tadhg McAteer from Navan remembering David McAteer at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey
Clodagh Daly with Ella and Ryan Byrne from Wicklow remembering Peter Coney Byrne at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey.
Joan and Angela Hogan from Nenagh with Catherine Kennelly, EMBRACE Farm (centre) at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey.The Bergin family from Boulerea, Roscrea at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf HarveyClodagh Daly, Wicklow; Carmel Smith, Cavan; Roisin Smith, Cavan; Philippa Byrne, Wexford and Marian Daly, Wicklow at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey.John Hughes, chairman FCI; Anne Gleeson Hanrahan chief executive FCI and Brian Rohan The Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey.The Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey.The Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey.Sean Keane performing with the Embrace FARM choir at the Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey.The Embrace FARM, Remembrance Service in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Abbeyleix. Photograph: Alf Harvey
