Thread by @laineydoyle

It’s a tradition in Ireland to light a candle in the window - usually in the depths of winter, for the stranger passing by, & to remember those far away. Something to light the way in the dark.

Tonight, in the midst of so much darkness, we lit our candles again.
#ShineYourLight

My sister is a doctor in St James’ Hospital in Dublin. At 9pm, she looked out the window, to see the whole street lit up like a Christmas tree, and her neighbours in Stoneybatter flicking their lights on and off like maniacs. #ShineYourLight

My brother and his wife work with the elderly and most vulnerable, in two more hospitals. They’ve been working flat out.

Tonight, they ate their dinner in their window, blinds up, lights ablaze. They sent a photo - behind them, a constellation of their neighbours’ lights.

Meanwhile, my Mam lit her candle, and sent a photo to our family WhatsApp group.

‘For my babbas,’ she said.

And in our wee place in north Dublin, myself and the fella put our own candle in the window. On the telly, @SineadOConnor sang us through it, to @garysnowpatrol’s words.

‘Light up, light up, as if you have choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I’ll be right beside you dear’

‘Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess.’

#shineyourlight

(That’s when I started to cry)

What a voice. What an extraordinary soul.

She feels so much. She feels every single word of it.

Thanks @rte. And thanks @SineadOConnor, and @cmacconiomaire (whose beautiful music was also played tonight).

#shineyourlight

And thank you thank you thank you to every single health care worker, every person working in the hospitals right now - cleaners, doctors, technicians, everyone.

You’re all amazing.

When this is over (& while this is happening), we’ll work to get you the support you deserve.