SETU hosted the annual Féile na Beatha (Festival of Life) in collaboration with Afri (Action from Ireland) on Thursday, 27 March.
The event brought together social care students, Afri, and members of the University and local community to commemorate the lives lost during the Great Famine and reflect on how history can guide us in fostering a more caring and compassionate society.
Commemorating the past
A central part of the festival was the commemorative walk to the Famine graveyard where over 3,000 people who perished during the Great Famine are buried. Led by Afri, the walk featured reflections from local historian Anthony Brophy and speeches by Katie Martin, Afri and climate justice communicator, Nandana James. First-year social care students, joined by guests from the Delta Centre Carlow, performed ‘An Gorta Mór’, a song that powerfully captured the significance of the day.
Katie Martin, Coordinator of Afri, said,
“Afri is honoured to partner with SETU for this special annual event, which centres on remembrance and solidarity. This year’s theme, ‘Creating Cultures of Care’, was deeply felt as we reflected on the lives lost during An Gorta Mór. Each person buried here is a testament to a tragic chapter in our history and the lessons we have yet to learn. We honour their lives and heed the call for courage in confronting the structures perpetuating inequity. Through commemoration, music, and shared experiences, we strengthened our bonds with SETU and The Delta Centre and reinforced our commitment to building just and inclusive societies together.”
Exploring the history of social care education
The second half of the event focused on the premiere of a new documentary, ‘The History of Social Care Education’, created by Dr Denise Lyons, Social Care Lecturer at SETU, and PhD candidate Charlotte Burke. The project was funded by the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) and supported by SETU’s Teaching and Learning Centre. The 45-minute film, produced by RoJnRoll Productions, explored the evolution of social care education in Ireland, and featured insights from Mr Pat Brennan, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, and third-year social care students, highlighting the pioneering efforts that shaped the profession.
Dr Denise Lyons, Social Care Lecturer at SETU, said,
“The documentary will be available as a resource for students throughout Ireland and available for download from the Social Care Ireland website. The documentary was inspired by the insightful teachings of Pat Brennan, Programme Director of the Kilkenny Programme 1971-1981. Pat's reflections on the key themes of social care work are still relevant to social care practice and education today.”
A lasting impact
The event concluded with a reflection session, where attendees discussed the key themes of the day and how they could apply these lessons in their own lives and communities. Féile na Beatha 2025 served as a powerful reminder that understanding the past is essential to building a future rooted in empathy, solidarity and care.