Is there a place...

Mumbla

I hope I don't offend anyone with my question.

I moved to Ireland from Sweden in the beginning of the year. One thing I miss from Sweden is our cemeteries. In most cemeteries in Sweden there is a small area referred to as a "Memorial garden" where you can light your candles in memory of lost ones. In this little area no one is buried, it's dedicated for the candles only.
I truly miss to go there, light my candle and spend some time thinking of the past.

Is there anything like this on Ireland? Does the cemeteries or churches have anything like this? Where I can light my candles without attending a mass?

Thank you deeply for any response.

uck51js9zml2yt

Mumbla wrote: »

I hope I don't offend anyone with my question.

I moved to Ireland from Sweden in the beginning of the year. One thing I miss from Sweden is our cemeteries. In most cemeteries in Sweden there is a small area referred to as a "Memorial garden" where you can light your candles in memory of lost ones. In this little area no one is buried, it's dedicated for the candles only.
I truly miss to go there, light my candle and spend some time thinking of the past.

Is there anything like this on Ireland? Does the cemeteries or churches have anything like this? Where I can light my candles without attending a mass?

Thank you deeply for any response.

Most RC churches will have shrines and candles but nothing like what you describe exists in cemeteries a

Giacomo McGubbin

I haven't seen anything like that in Irish cemeteries. Most Catholic churches will have areas where you can light candles in the lobby or in the Church itself. The candles are provided, and usually you just make a small donation of loose change in the box provided, and light one. Some of the candle areas will have a statue of a Saint or Christ or such like, but they are not reserved solely for that purpose by any means. For your purposes, I don't think anyone would mind at all you going in and lighting a candle and sitting for while to remember your loved ones. Outside mass times they would be very peaceful places, and people often do that or say a few prayers if they wish. Most Catholic Churches would be left open during daytime hours for people, but it can vary depending on the area.

Mumbla

Giacomo McGubbin wrote: »

I haven't seen anything like that in Irish cemeteries. Most Catholic churches will have area's where you can light candles in the lobby or in the Church itself. The candles are provided, and usually you just make a small donation of loose change in the box provided, and light one. Some of the candle areas will have a statue of a Saint or Christ or such like, but they are not reserved solely for that purpose by any means. For your purposes, I don't think anyone would mind at all you going in and lighting a candle and sitting for while to remember you loved ones. Outside mass times they would be very peaceful places, and people often do that or say a few prayers if they wish. Most Catholic Churches would be left open during daytime hours for people, but it can vary depending on the area.

Thank you so much for that splendid answer! I will try to find a church that allow me to do just that. Most appreciated!

lazybones32

Mumbla wrote: »

I hope I don't offend anyone with my question.

That's a serious problem with you Swedes, you are too afraid of offending people....changing your National Anthem to remove the parts that could be construed as unwelcoming to immigrants?! I could go on about Snippen Snoppen and the apparent National aversion to closing your curtains at night but I won't. Anyway...

Mumbla wrote: »

I moved to Ireland from Sweden in the beginning of the year. One thing I miss from Sweden is our cemeteries. In most cemeteries in Sweden there is a small area referred to as a "Memorial garden" where you can light your candles in memory of lost ones. In this little area no one is buried, it's dedicated for the candles only.
I truly miss to go there, light my candle and spend some time thinking of the past.

Is there anything like this on Ireland? Does the cemeteries or churches have anything like this? Where I can light my candles without attending a mass?

There are many places like this in both graveyards and Churches. It isn't as common in the graveyards (I only know 2 such areas in 10 'local' graveyards) but the ones which do exist are done well.
Many Churches have a separate room for lighting candles but you don't have to be a Christian or pay your tax to sit in an Irish Church. No-one will bother you...maybe someone will come up and offer you a handful of medals or prayer leaflets but that's about it.

Mumbla wrote: »

Thank you deeply for any response.

Duckty flicka

Mumbla

lazybones32 wrote: »

That's a serious problem with you Swedes, you are too afraid of offending people....changing your National Anthem to remove the parts that could be construed as unwelcoming to immigrants?! I could go on about Snippen Snoppen and the apparent National aversion to closing your curtains at night but I won't. Anyway...

There are many places like this in both graveyards and Churches. It isn't as common in the graveyards (I only know 2 such areas in 10 'local' graveyards) but the ones which do exist are done well.
Many Churches have a separate room for lighting candles but you don't have to be a Christian or pay your tax to sit in an Irish Church. No-one will bother you...maybe someone will come up and offer you a handful of medals or prayer leaflets but that's about it.

Duckty flicka

Thank you for your answer!
Trust me, since I've moved here not a day goes by without me finding another bad thing about Swedes and Sweden. And yeah, I'm still very Swedish... but there is hope still! I hope to newer go back. Love it here!

lazybones32

Yeah? My sister-in-law returned home to Sweden recently because she couldn't adapt to life here: unfortunately, she didn't love it.

I'm only teasing you about the characteristics of the Swedes (also called 'turnips' here) so don't take it personally.

Mumbla

lazybones32 wrote: »

Yeah? My sister-in-law returned home to Sweden recently because she couldn't adapt to life here: unfortunately, she didn't love it.

I'm only teasing you about the characteristics of the Swedes (also called 'turnips' here) so don't take it personally.

No no, not taking it personally at all!
I find people here being so friendly, chatty, open and outgoing. I assume it depends a bit of area and people but here in Cobh it's simply wonderful. In Sweden... If you say hi to someone you don't know they look at you as if thinking your a psychopath. And here people never shut up! I understand that can be hard for Swedes but I enjoy it. A big change indeed! I'm very glad we took the opportunity and moved here.

lazybones32

I hope it works out for you. Our cultures are quite different but I find most Swedes to be chatty if I break the ice (unless I'm in Stockholm).

Gougane Barra would be a nice place for you to visit, to allow you silence to remember.

Mumbla

lazybones32 wrote: »

I hope it works out for you. Our cultures are quite different but I find most Swedes to be chatty if I break the ice (unless I'm in Stockholm).

Gougane Barra would be a nice place for you to visit, to allow you silence to remember.

I will look at Gougane Barra, thank you Lazy bones!