On Sunday 23rd March, the RVH Liver Support Group, alongside transplant charities from across Northern Ireland, came together to celebrate the relaunch of the New Life Gardens at Botanic Gardens, Belfast, and Kiltonga Hall, Newtownards — two special spaces dedicated to honouring the incredible gift of organ and stem cell donation.
We were deeply honoured to be joined at both events by Denis & Martina Goggin, creators of the National Circle of Life Organ Donor Memorial in Salthill, Galway. Following the heartbreaking loss of their son Éamonn, who became an organ donor, Denis and Martina have continued to share his legacy through powerful symbols of remembrance:
🕯 The Candle of Remembrance which was gifted to Belfast city from Galway in 2016 is placed in herbaceous borders, Botanic Gardens
🪨 The NIKPA 25th Anniversary Stone (2017), located at Kiltonga, Newtownards
Both events featured an inspiring lineup of speakers. The Botanic event was hosted by committee member Sharon Millen, while the Kiltonga cermony was led by William Johnston (NIKPA, Renal Arts Group QUB).
We shared moments of reflection, gratitude, and celebration, hearing from transplant recipients, donor families, and advocates whose stories touched every heart in attendance. 🌟
These gardens are more than memorials — they are spaces of peace, gratitude, and hope. They remind us of the importance of organ donation and the need to share our wishes with loved ones.
We look forward to building even stronger connections between organ donation communities across the north and south of Ireland, united by compassion, remembrance, and the celebration of life 💚
