PICTURES: Carlow hospital welcomes spring with flowers, tea and a burst of colour

Residents at Sacred Heart Hospital in Carlow marked the arrival of spring this week with a bright and colourful afternoon of flower arranging, planting and tea with family and friends.

The annual Spring Afternoon Tea has become a much-loved tradition at the hospital, with residents and their families looking forward to the event as a marker for the first turn of the seasons in the year.

PHOTO - Enjoying flower arranging activity at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Carlow to mark the arrival of Spring were (from left to right): Student Nurse Anna May Fennell, resident Hannah Burke and Sacred Heart team member Mary O’Neill.  

As part of the celebration, the Activities Team worked alongside residents to prepare and plant bulbs and seeds of various flowers in the hospital garden. Flower arranging was also central to the day, with candle bouquets and decorative garlands created as part of the occasion.

PHOTO - Enjoying flower arranging activity at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Carlow to mark the arrival of Spring were (from left to right): Sacred Heart team member Catherine Ovington and resident Peggy Byrne.

Speaking at the event, Assistant Director of Nursing at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Elaine Flanagan, said: “Spring, being a beautiful, bright and colourful time of year, is something that we at the Sacred Heart like to capture the essence of at the earliest opportunity upon its arrival.”

PHOTO - Enjoying flower arranging activity at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Carlow to mark the arrival of Spring were (from left to right): Student Nurse Lauren Reilly, resident Betty Strong and Sacred Heart team member Catherine Ovington.

She added: “Between our residents, staff and visitors calling in on the day, the flower arranging and the Afternoon Tea had a great buzz to it!”

PHOTO - Enjoying flower arranging activity at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Carlow to mark the arrival of Spring were (from left to right): Resident Betty Lawlor and Sacred Heart team member Mary O’ Neill.  

Ms Flanagan also paid tribute to the wider support around the hospital, saying: “The Sacred Heart Hospital has an excellent reputation as a care facility and the team here are deeply appreciative of the support we get from families of our residents and the wider community around us and we look forward to more special occasions at the Sacred Heart during 2026.”