A beautiful tribute to a much-loved Galway woman will take place tomorrow (Friday ), as a special candle created in her memory is launched, with proceeds supporting Galway Hospice Foundation.
Liz Kavanagh O’Malley, who sadly passed away in May of this year at just 38 years of age, touched the hearts of people across Ireland with her remarkable courage, infectious humour and unwavering positivity throughout her battle with cancer.
Now, her husband Kieran is determined to ensure that her light continues to shine, launching a very special candle, aptly named Liz’s Light, in her honour.
The couple founded their own candle company, Blazer Candles, before Liz received her cancer diagnosis, turning a shared passion into a business that brought them enormous pride and happiness. Despite the challenges of her illness, Liz remained determined to see the business flourish, and Kieran is now continuing the dream they started together.
The launch of Liz’s Light is particularly poignant, with a donation from every candle sold going directly to Galway Hospice Foundation, where Liz received exceptional care during her final weeks.
A proud Galway woman, Liz captured the hearts of the nation as she documented her cancer journey with extraordinary honesty, warmth and humour. Her remarkable spirit inspired thousands, while her love story with Kieran resonated far beyond Galway.
Throughout Liz’s illness, the couple often spoke about organising fundraisers for the hospitals, healthcare professionals and carers who had supported them, plans they hoped to put into action when Liz recovered. Heartbreakingly, that day never came.
As they faced the reality of Liz’s prognosis, Kieran shared an idea with his wife, to create a special candle in her memory that would raise much-needed funds for Galway Hospice. Once Liz gave her blessing, Kieran knew it was a promise he would keep.
The creation of Liz’s Light has been a labour of love, bringing together some of the people who knew and loved Liz best. Having been surrounded by an incredible network of family and friends throughout their journey, Kieran turned to Liz’s three closest friends, Aisling, Elaine and Tamara, the women who had stood beside her through the happiest moments and the most difficult days of her life, to help create the candle. Together, they carefully considered the fragrance, determined to choose something that truly reflected Liz.
After much deliberation, plenty of laughter and more than a few tears, they finally settled on a beautiful cashmere and jasmine scent. But there was one final seal of approval required. Liz’s beloved grandmother, a sprightly 92 years young, was given the honour of approving the finished fragrance.
With her blessing secured, Liz’s Light was ready to go into production. The symbolism of a candle is especially meaningful to Kieran, who has always described Liz as the light of his life. The candle features a beautiful photograph of Liz, accompanied by the simple but deeply moving words, “The Light of My Life.”
For Kieran, those words perfectly capture the woman he loved and the inspiration she continues to provide. “Even in the darkest moments, whenever I think of Liz’s bravery, her positivity and the way she faced everything life threw at her, it gives me the strength to keep going,” he said. “I know how much she would have loved this candle, particularly knowing that it will help Galway Hospice. I’m just trying to make her proud and keep a little bit of her light shining in the world.”
The official launch of Liz’s Light will take place this Friday, October 30, from 6pm to 9pm at The Aviary in The Connacht Hotel, Galway, where visitors will have the opportunity to purchase the candle and support Galway Hospice Foundation.
A second pop-up event will take place at The Cot and Cobble in Ballina, Co Mayo, from 12pm to 2pm, with the candle also available to purchase online from Sunday evening at www.blazercandles.com
