Sinéad Ryan

Raised on a dairy farm on the Cork/Waterford border and with both grandmothers in residence, I had a wonderful childhood. My grandfather, Jack Nugent, was an undertaker so we were always aware of death and respectful of those in the process of dying. After nurse training, I became a mother to two boys and a girl. Both of my parents died away from home despite our hopes and best efforts. My mother died at the age of 60 in an intensive care unit and my father at 85 in a nursing home: two very different deaths, both leaving an indelible impression on me.

Having trained with “The Peaceful Presence” program in Oregon, USA, I am delighted to now offer End of Life care. I provide support to anyone who would like to engage with their death, with or without a life-limiting condition. Since 1990 I have been a registered general and children’s nurse, and I have often felt there is a gap between the holistic support needed by those at the end of their lives and what is available. When I worked in St Luke’s hospital in Dublin, we as nurses did not have enough time to be present with the dying and this planted a seed within me to improve End of Life holistic support. While hospice care is excellent, my experience with my own father’s death was that the carers’ time to spend with patients is limited too. I wish to bridge this gap.

For those who have received an end-of-life prognosis, I will be honoured to accompany you on your unique journey. Initially, we will meet to ensure we are a good fit for each other. Doula care is non-judgemental, non-legal and non-medical, however we do work alongside your entire medical team to support your medical decisions and ensure you die with dignity. My belief is that death is much more than a medical event: it requires the holistic support of you as an individual as well as your family and community. As a holistic therapist I am fully aware of the emotional, mental and spiritual journey as well as the physical one. All spiritual beliefs (and none) are embraced and respected.

We are all going to die. So, so let’s talk about it and prepare as we would for any other major event in our lives (birth, marriage, job change, house move). I run free coffee events, called “Coffee Connections”, where we can sit over a warm drink and cake and chat about all aspects of the end of life.