PEOPLE ALL over Ireland paid their respects to frontline staff and healthcare workers by coming together to shine a light in their windows for those facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The “Shine Your Light” campaign invited the public to light a candle, torch, lamp or even Christmas light in their window at 9pm this past Saturday, April 11.
A gesture of hope and remembrance, the initiative was about honouring those working in healthcare and other frontline services as well as those who have been affected by the virus on a personal level.
The campaign received an incredible response, with people all over Ireland shining a light.
These efforts were led by President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina who lit candles from Áras an Uachtaráin.
President and Sabina Higgins joined the 'Shine Your Light' / 'Lanraigh Do Sholas' campaign, lighting lanterns as a symbol of hope and solidarity.https://t.co/PeqaS8DbqI #ShineYourLight pic.twitter.com/jdKChYe5CD
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) April 11, 2020
Leo Varadkar remains at the forefront of Ireland's effort to tackle the virus and lit a single candle for "the sick, the grieving and everyone affected" by COVID-19.
We’re inviting everyone to #ShineYourLight for our healthcare and essential workers at 9pm tonight. For the sick, the grieving, and everyone affected by #Covid19. Our public buildings, embassies and peacekeeping missions around the world are joining in. I hope you do too. pic.twitter.com/LEMllxC1He
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) April 11, 2020
Dublin Airport staff also took part as a mark of respect and solidarity.
Dublin Airport staff joining the nation in the #ShineYourLight tribute for hope & solidarity. #TogetherApart #LonraighdoSholas pic.twitter.com/bILhi3LMwO
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) April 11, 2020
Amazing #ShineYourLight from @DublinAirport pic.twitter.com/WKgXivOhAv
— Rob Cullen (@robcullen79) April 11, 2020
Firefighters across Ireland also stopped to shine a light and remember those lost.
For all of those that have lost their lives to COVID-19, our thoughts are with you and your families and to all the front line workers,we want to say thank you. From all in Kells Fire Service & @MCCFireService. We’re all in this together 🇮🇪 #stayhome #staysafe #shineyourlight pic.twitter.com/Xe6TW0Rl04
— Meath Fire Service (@MCCFireService) April 11, 2020
#ShineYourLight from Cork City Fire Brigade’s Headquarters tonight in support of our essential workers, healthcare workers, for the sick, the grieving and everyone affected by #COVID19 #TogetherPart #StayAtHome @rte pic.twitter.com/WMN27a2zPw
— Cork City Fire Brigade (@CorkCityFire) April 11, 2020
It was part of an incredible effort made by people from every corner of Ireland.
Dad took the #ShineYourLight initiative to new heights last night! We’re sending a message of hope to everyone affected by COVID-19, and our thanks to the frontline workers getting us all through this ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pelIXm1sde
— Ciara Judge 🇺🇦 (@ciarajudge_) April 12, 2020
Proud to be Irish ☘️ #ShineYourLight pic.twitter.com/hPWnPGejXY
— Hillary.ie (@Hillary_ie) April 12, 2020
This evening we honour the memory of those who have sadly lost their lives to COVID-19 by shining the National Colours on our HQ
Solas na bhflaitheas orthú
Tonight we salute all frontline workers, particularly those in @HSELive #stayathome #ShineYourLight #oncallforireland pic.twitter.com/QUux1D73RP— Irish Air Corps (@IrishAirCorps) April 11, 2020
Our clubhouse - Shining our lights for everyone throughout this pandemic #StayHome #ShineYourLight #OurClubOurCommunity pic.twitter.com/vwRnIhdtDJ
— Glenroe GAA (@GlenroeGAA) April 12, 2020
Eileen (98) and Ned (101) Gortnahalla, Moycullen, shining their lights to create a moment of solidarity in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic #ShineYourLight pic.twitter.com/vHJ7NlDl28
— Eamon Cusack (@EamonCusack) April 11, 2020
Some photos of St Anne's from last night #ShineYourLight #ShineALight pic.twitter.com/eWkpZ4N0mW
— St Annes Shandon - An Inclusive Church (@StAnnesShandon) April 12, 2020
People of all ages, from all parts of Ireland, took part in the #ShineYourLight campaign in a gesture of hope and solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic | Read more: https://t.co/hYLimVakN9 pic.twitter.com/wsamsLshrF
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) April 11, 2020
LIVE from St Vincent’s Hospital Athlone #ShineYourLight https://t.co/F1B6Y8lyf9
— Ciaran Mullooly (@ciaranmullooly) April 11, 2020
The campaign wasn't limited to the Irish back home either with the Embassy of Ireland in London also lighting a candle to remember those lost to coronavirus.
A candle in the window - bringing light to the dark. An Irish tradition, lit in #London by Ambassador @AdrianGONeill to remember all those who have lost their lives to #Covid_19 and to thank #health and key workers. #ShineYourLight #LonraighdoSholas pic.twitter.com/M011EzRd5i
— Embassy of Ireland (@IrelandEmbGB) April 11, 2020
It was a similar story in embassies and consulates all over the world with representatives in everywhere from Denmark to Canada lighting a candle to mark the occasion.
It’s 9pm in Denmark and we’re lighting our candles in solidarity with all of those in Ireland 🇮🇪, Denmark 🇩🇰 and across the world affected by COVID-19 #ShineYourLight pic.twitter.com/sZ8mDhgBK6
— Irish Embassy Denmark (@IrlEmbDenmark) April 11, 2020
We shine a light in Vancouver in solidarity with all affected by #Covid19 in Ireland 🇮🇪& in the Irish Community in British Columbia🇨🇦. Although the night feels long and dark, the light of hope🕯️reminds us of the bright future that is sure to come #ShineYourLight #StayHome pic.twitter.com/du3NXJofnc
— Consulate General of Ireland in Vancouver (@IrlinVancouver) April 11, 2020
In Ireland, lit candles in the window are a sign of solidarity & welcome. 🕯️
Across the world today, Irish have placed candles at their windows to show global solidarity, to remember those who have lost their lives to #COVID & to thank frontline staff.
#ShineYourLight 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/J86yCitfsd— Ireland at UN (@irishmissionun) April 11, 2020
An incredible show of support and just a few examples of the lights shone for those affected by coronavirus, it was further proof, if needed, of how much these brave men and women remain in Ireland's thoughts now and always.
