26 Limerick families supported by LauraLynn - 'hospice care is all about living'

LauraLynn Children’s Hospice supports 26 families in Limerick through services delivered from its hospice in Dublin and its regional hub in Mallow, Co Cork. New research ahead of Children’s Hospice Week 2026 shows one in three people in Ireland believe children’s hospice care is only for end-of-life support. LauraLynn warns that this misunderstanding can create fear and hesitation, preventing families from seeking help earlier. The charity provides specialist care in family homes and at its hospice in Leopardstown for children with life-limiting conditions and for parents, siblings, grandparents, and extended family members. Support includes therapeutic services and positive family experiences such as play sessions, movie nights, trips, and celebrations.

"One in three people in Ireland believe children's hospice care is only for end-of-life support. The charity, Ireland's only children's hospice, said "this misunderstanding matters because for families, it shapes not just what hospice care is, but what it feels like to accept it." The charity said the misconception surrounding hospice care can create fear and hesitation for parents already coping with the challenges of a child's serious illness."

"LauraLynn currently supports 26 families across Limerick through its services delivered from its purpose-built hospice in Dublin and its regional hub in Mallow, Co Cork. Speaking during the launch of Children's Hospice Week, LauraLynn CEO Kerry McLaverty said many families are unaware that support is available long before end-of-life care is needed. "This Children's Hospice Week, we want people to understand that hospice care is about living," she said."

"LauraLynn provides specialist care both in family homes and at its hospice in Leopardstown, supporting not only children with life-limiting conditions but also parents, siblings, grandparents and extended family members. The organisation said a major part of its work focuses on creating positive family experiences and memories, ranging from play sessions and movie nights to trips, celebrations and therapeutic supports for siblings."

""It's about ensuring every child counts, every minute matters, and every family feels supported - no matter where they are on their journey." "At LauraLynn, we help families be just that - a family," said Kerry McLaverty, CEO at LauraLynn. "By easing the worry and stress of complex medi""

Read at Irish Independent