Proposed National Garden of Commemoration & Thanksgiving to Organ & Tissue Donors

The Circle of Life garden, proposed for Salthill in Galway during 2013, will be a special place to commemorate those who give the gift of life to others through organ donation, and a means for society to acknowledge their contribution and generosity.

The central concept of the garden’s design will be the creation of a giant hawthorn flower which, according to Irish mythology and traditional medicine, had properties associated with emotional and physical healing of the heart. An external planting of mature trees will surround this central area to create a sense of enclosure, sanctuary and peace within the garden itself. The carvings, images and inscriptions used throughout will be an allegorical reflection of life’s journey, designed to engender feelings of positive transformation, healing and hope.

Stones from the environs of iconic heritage sites from each of the 32 counties of Ireland will be asimilated into the garden’s design to honour donors from their respective counties, and give a sense of inclusion with the project to people from throughout the country. The families and friends of donors and recipients themselves will be invited to attend events in the garden including an annual “planting of 1000 flowers” which will ensure vibrant colour from May “till November”. The universality of the life giving cause of organ donation will be reflected through the inclusion of international representational stone tablets gifted to the garden; one from each of the five major continents. A special carved representational stone from the UK will also be included.

Circle of Life garden is being promoted and developed by Strabge Boat Donor Foundation, in partnership with Galway City Council. This foundation is a registered charity (CHY 19469) established in 2008 by the parents of Eamonn Goggin who became an organ donor following a fatal road crash in 2006. It is actively involved in promoting awareness of the importance of organ donation, and in supporting all who have been affected by organ donation and transplantation.

We have set up a donation facility on our web site under “Support Us” and invite and welcome all expresions of interest and support. Within this section we are also setting up separate dedicated pages to each of the areas which will be represented in the garden, viz. The Americas, UK, Auctralia, Africa, Europe, Asia and Ireland. News and progess from each of these centres will be regularly updated on their individual web pages.

W: www.organdonation.ie
Strange Boat Donor Foundation
Bothúna, Spiddal, Co. Galway
Email: info@strangeboat.org
Tel: 087 7429080 / 085 7272491