A GAOTH Dobhair man has opened up about his own grief following the death of his partner in a programme to air on TG4 next week.
Misneach – Cumha is an exploration of grief told through the authored journey of Breandán de Gallaí from Gaoth Dobhair whose partner passed away in 2021.
It’s been said that the Irish get death right. Our initial mourning process is one that we’re often praised for. Most of the time, we lay our loved ones to rest within a couple of days of them dying. Family, friends and neighbours will rally together during those initial days to give an extraordinary amount of support, but what happens when that’s all over and the grieving process really starts? This documentary opens that conversation.
So how do you carry on existing when you lose your partner of 16 years? How do you carry on when half of you is gone?
Beginning and ending with Breandán’s personal story and experience, this documentary explores both the unique and shared reality for people who have lost their partners or loved ones as Breandán travels all over the country to meet others who have stories to share.
In the Grief Café in Galway, Breandán finds a space where people come to openly grieve together. Thomas Kiely shares the grief journey as he talks to Breandán about the loss of his wife Angela to cancer. In Dún Chaoin, author Éilís Ní Dhuibhne discusses how the loss of her husband Bo has impacted her work. Breandán meets Dingle Druid, Júli Ní Mhaoileoin, to learn about the work she does with those who are grieving. Bill Foley welcomes Breandán into the home he shared with his husband Christopher as they discuss their experiences of grieving a same-sex partner. And in Limerick, artist Katie Verling tells Breandán why she believes we must speak about death more.
Filmed over a protracted period of time, these incredibly vulnerable and honest conversations shed light on possibly the most challenging human experience of all.
Misneach – Cumha airs on Wednesday, March 12 at 21.30pm on TG4 and on the TG4 Player.
Helpline Information
If you are affected by any of the content please contact Samaritans Ireland 24hr Helpline. Freephone: 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)