‘Legends’ set up Facebook page for lost loved ones

THESE are the two friends whose poignant Facebook page is becoming a beacon of hope for people who have lost loved ones.

David

‘Dotsy’ Byrne and Patrick Gillespie set up

‘Ballyer Legends R.I.P’ only a few weeks ago to offer local people a way to pay tribute to friends and family members who have passed on.

People have been posting pictures of their relatives and friends on the page and writing heart-rending messages for them.

As word has spread the two pals from Ballyfermot have been receiving hundreds of messages from people all over the world, and requests from others who want to set up similar pages for their own local areas.

David told how he set up the page after talking to his mam about putting death notices in the papers.

“I had lost a good friend last year and had always wanted to do something to remember him by,

? David explained.

“Then, I was talking to my mam a while ago about putting death notices in the paper and I thought it was expensive and not everyone would see them.

“So I thought I’d set up the page to let people do the same thing online for free.

“Since then thousands of people have joined the page and we’ve been sent messages from people who want to set up their own pages for their own local area, in Coolock and Santry, all over the city and even in the UK.

“I was just delighted that it has really taken off.

?

David said he had also received messages from people telling him how being able to pay tribute to their loved one has even helped them with their own grieving process.

“Some people have told me it has helped them as they were receiving counselling. I’m just amazed and touched at the impact it has had. I couldn’t believe how much people really responded to it.

?

Some of the poignant messages on the Facebook page are from those who have been bereaved relatively recently while others are putting up pictures of loved ones who died many years ago.

Writing on the page, David outlines what it is all about:

‘hello everybody this is a group to remember the loved ones we have lost threw the years past and present from ballyfermot ,it doesnt matter if u dont live in the area or what part of the world your living in now your all very welcome.’

His friend Patrick adds:

‘please share this thank you all…we are legends of ballyer were we come in to see all our falling loved ones and see there photos and faces and listen to there family and friends storys some very sad and a few funny…the group is now been called a movement of hope to some people in here…we pride our selfs with the word that we all know respect…we are a movement of hope we will never let you feel alone we will stand united together we will never fall… we are ballyer’

As a result they have received messages and support from people moved by their idea.

‘The real legend of ballyfermot is still with us thank you so much David Dotsy Byrne for this page,’ one person wrote on their page.

Another wrote:

‘Dotsy ur the biggest legnent of dublin for bringing this all together, you have made so many people happy and comfortable’.

And another added:

‘I don’t know ye but well done Dotsy’.

The lads were so moved by the response that they organised a night in Ballyfermot recently when lanterns were lit and sent into the sky to help locals remember their loved ones.

“It was amazing,

? added David.

“There must have been close to a thousand people there.

?

Some of those moved by the gesture heaped praise on the two lads.

‘it should be an on going thing , lighting lanterns for our angels , what an achievement,’ wrote one person.

‘well done Dotsy and thank you for being there for my daughter Lisa and my grandsons , especially when it was Darryns anniversary on the day , god bless you and keep you safe , gratefully yours Breda x, added another.

“Ballyer gets a bad rap sometimes but this just shows how much close people are here in Ballyfermot and how much they love each,

? David added.

“It’s been a very emotional experience. it has really touched me.

?

David revealed that they are now planning to make May 1 every year a remembrance day for all the locals in Ballyfermot who have passed on.