The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has launched two memorials in honour of those who lost their lives in the Stardust tragedy in 1981 and those who have died from Covid-19.

The memorials are located on the grounds of the Richmond Education and Event Centre, which was formerly the Richmond Hospital. This hospital treated many of the victims of the Stardust fire, which claimed the lives of 48 people on Valentine’s night, 1981.

The INMO said that the memorial “is to acknowledge the connection with the Richmond Hospital and give the families affected by the tragedy a place to attend in remembrance”.

The second memorial commemorates the lives lost during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly healthcare workers.

“The INMO is pleased to offer a space for families of those that lost their lives tragically in both the Stardust fire and during Covid to mourn and remember their loved ones. For many families the heartache of losing someone under such unforeseen circumstances is still very real,” commented INMO general secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha.

According to INMO president, Karen McGowan, when remembering those who tragically died during both Stardust and Covid, it is important to think of the many families that never got a chance to say goodbye to their loved ones who passed away so unexpectedly.

“We also remember how our frontline workers came together to treat patients both during the Stardust tragedy 41 years ago and all throughout the pandemic,” she said.

She noted that nurses who worked during the Stardust tragedy said they had never experienced anything of that magnitude in their career before. Now, many nurses are saying the same thing about the impact of the pandemic on their careers and personal lives.

“Whenever a nurse or midwife dies in the line of duty it affects our members deeply, but during Covid especially, it has been so tough. As a nation we are known for how we come together when we mourn the loss of members of our community, but this was impossible when we were at the height of Covid.

“We will analyse for many years to come the profound impact Covid has had on us as a people but by unveiling this memorial, we can remember the incredible role nurses and midwives played in the fight against a largely invisible virus,” Ms McGowan said.

The two memorials were designed by Irish artist, Robert Ballagh. Guests at the unveiling on February 14 included the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, HSE CEO Paul Reid and the Stardust families.