Colette Byrne
In 2018, Colette was honored with the Everyday Hero, People of the Year Award for founding the online community widow.ie. She created this platform following the tragic death of her husband, Peter, in a traffic accident in August 2008. At the time of his passing, their daughter, Kate, was just three years old.
A qualified Pharmaceutical Technician, Colette now works in the accounts department of her family’s quarry business. Through widow.ie, she has built a compassionate and supportive community where those experiencing bereavement can connect, share, and find solace.
How to Help a Recently Widowed Friend
Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences that anyone can go through. In the aftermath of such a profound loss, it can be challenging to know how to support a friend...
Grief Telephone Support Helplines
Grief Telephone Support Helplines
Free to use grief telephone support helplines are invaluable when you are grieving and in early bereavement. In the early days, weeks and months following the death of a spouse or...
Mother’s Day Ideas for Children Bereaved of a Mother
Mother's Day will soon be here, and for many it will be the first without their Mother. The death of a loved one is difficult and notably so in the time leading up to special events such as, Mother's Day.
Not a Support Group Kinda Guy – TEDx
Seven ordinary Dads brought together after the death of their wives and discovered the power of a support group.
The seven grieving and widowed Dad's began to share their loss in the group. In time, they gained the tools to help them reimagine their lives without their wives.
Can the Widowed Apply for COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment?
If you are widowed and were working up until March 13th, you can claim the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and it will be paid in addition to your widowed pension. To apply for the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment you can apply online at mywelfare.ie If you require a form posted out, it can be requested both online or by calling the emergency phone number 1890800024
Widow Wins Appeal to Backdate Household Benefits Package
Ombudsman Peter Tyndall recently published the first casebook for County Clare. He was asked to examine the case of a widow who, after her husbands death, wasn't informed of her entitlement to Household Benefits Package.
Coping with Christmas When You Are Bereaved
Christmas is a difficult time of year for those who are recently bereaved. Even people bereaved a number of years Christmas and the New Year can be a very sad time of year with memories of those who are missing.
Banks to improve treatment of bereaved customers
The five main Irish Banks have committed to improving the treatment of bereaved customers by establishing a common commitment of care.
Bereaved Leaving Cert Students Can Sit Exams in July
New provisions allowing Leaving Certificate students who suffer a close family bereavement during the state examinations in June to sit alternative papers in July.
Ricky Gervais – After Life | Netflix
Ricky Gervais's latest offering, After Life on Netflix, is classed as a dark comedy. Normally, I try to avoid shows where the primary focus is a widowed spouse. Mainly because some of these shows are just badly written, they portray the bereaved as being sad for five minutes then back to taking on the world as if no life changing event occurred.