‘Their stories did not end by choice’: Mayo remembers women lost to domestic and gender-based violence
A lily ceremony was held at Lough Lannagh in Castlebar to honour women who have lost their lives to violence as part of the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
These were the words spoken at a lily memorial ceremony at Lough Lannagh in Castlebar, where the community gathered to honour women who have lost their lives to violence in Ireland.Women's Aid Femicide Watch have recorded the violent deaths of 277 women in Ireland since 1996.From the bridge, white lilies were released onto the lake while the names of the women were read aloud and poems were shared in their honour.The white lily symbolises the rejuvenation of the soul, femininity, and the return of the deceased to a place of peace. The sun shone, a strong wind swept across the water, and although the mood was sombre, there was a sense of unity and determination among the group - a shared commitment that no more women should lose their lives to violence.Women in Ireland who have died due to domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence were remembered as the group stood together on the final day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.Across Mayo, events throughout the 16-day campaign not only honoured those who have lost their lives, but also reinforced a collective call to action to prevent future tragedies.Hilda Gregg of Safe Ireland Mayo addressed the group first."Today, we gather to honour the women whose lives were taken by violence. Each lily we lay is for a woman who should still be with us."A daughter, a sister, a friend, a neighbour. Someone who laughed, dreamed, loved, and was loved.""Their stories did not end by choice, and their absence leaves a silence that families and communities carry every day,"As we stand on this bridge together, we acknowledge the weight of that loss. But we also acknowledge something else: our shared commitment to say no more."Safe Ireland Mayo is a 24-hour service providing crisis accommodation, outreach, and support to women and children affected by domestic violence. The service provides a refuge centre and outreach clinics in 12 locations across the county.White lilies were placed in the water one by one, as the names of the women were read aloud alongside poems honouring their memories."Gender-based violence is not an abstract issue; it has touched too many lives here in Mayo and across Ireland. And yet, when we come together like this, we create a space of compassion, solidarity, and strength," Ms Gregg said."This ceremony is not only a moment of mourning, it is a promise. A promise to remember. A promise to support those who are living with fear or with trauma,"And a promise to keep working for a future where every woman can live safely, freely, and with dignity."The group stood in silence as, one by one, people stepped forward to read the names of the women.While Femicide Watch have recorded the deaths of 277 women, it is acknowledged that the true scale of femicide in Ireland is likely higher, due to underreporting, misclassification of violent deaths, and the omission of women who die by suicide after suffering sexual, domestic, or gender-based violence.As the lilies drifted across the water, tributes continued."The beauty of a lily floating on the water bears little comparison to the battered body of a woman,"These women are more than their broken bones, more than their bruised skin and more than their violated flesh,"They are more than the tears they may never have cried. They are more than statistics," one woman read."Another Lily, Another Woman. Did she have children? Did she believe she still loved him when he slapped her, beat her, killed her?" asked another."Another Lily, Another Woman. Did she know when she met him? Did he tell her he loved her? Did the Gardai know before the fatal day?"Did someone think she deserved it? Did someone think she liked it because she stayed? Did people turn away? Not in my backyard please," a third added.Though the sense in the air was heavy, the ceremony was filled with deep respect and remembrance. Across Mayo, a series of community events have taken place over the past 16 days. These included a candlelight memorial vigil in Castlebar for victims of gender-based, sexual, and domestic violence. Safe Ireland Mayo also launched a butterfly memorial garden in honour of women who have lost their lives.Professor Nata Duvvury from the School of Political Science and Sociology, Gender and Women's Studies at the University of Galway, delivered a lecture at ATU on digital violence and its impact on women and girls.The event was organised by Soroptimists Ireland, who also worked with Castlebar Municipal District to light up the Lough Lannagh bridge in orange, the designated colour of the UN's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and to raise orange flags on public buildings.This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
