Contact

 

Sheila first experienced a Humanist ceremony when she attended a Humanist funeral in Scotland, in 2013. Impressed with the approach to celebrating a life well lived, and finding the philosophy resonating with her, Sheila looked up the Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI) on return, and has been a member of the organisation since.

  

Sheila is an active member of the Humanist West group enjoying their monthly events, including rich discussions and debates.

 

Sheila also spent some time as Chair of the Education Sub-Group at a national level, drawing on her professional knowledge and experience, outside the HAI. Sheila undertook celebrant training through 2018, and has been an accredited Humanist Celebrant with the HAI since the start of 2019. She is a registered with the HSE as a legal solemniser of marriages in the Republic of Ireland. Sheila appreciates the opportunity to work with couples and families in planning ceremonies that reflect Humanist core values of respect, compassion, reason and equality. These include weddings, baby-naming ceremonies and funerals.

Originally from Canada, Sheila has been living in Galway City since 2001, where she and her partnerof 30+ years raised their five children. Sheila works primarily in and around Galway, but will travel throughout the Connaught region and into north Munster.

 

The best way to contact Sheila is by email at sheilapgarrity@gmail.com  Please provide your names, your own contact details, the type of ceremony you are planning, potential dates and the general area the ceremony will take place. Sheila will respond promptly. You can also reach her at 086-6035104.

 

Testimonials for Sheila Garrity, Humanist Celebrant

 

Baby Welcome & Naming

“Just wanted to say thank you again for a really beautiful ceremony for our daughter [Baby] on Sunday. It was very special and our family and friends enjoyed it immensely!”

S, K & Baby-T November 2019

“Everyone talked afterwards about how lovely the whole ceremony was and relaxed. I wasn’t expecting so many positive comments or how moved some people would be (including me)! You really made our day extra special and I loved how you focused on [Baby]’s community, her home and how children should be treated with respect, I really believe in respectful parenting and that children should be allowed to be who they are, not what we want them to be”.

J, K & Baby-A July 2019

 

Wedding: 

“We just wanted to say thank you once again for the beautiful part you played in our wedding day. The ceremony and your hard work made it extra special, personal and meaningful for us. We couldn’t have dreamt of anything better” 

H&L May 2021

 

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being such a fabulous part of our wedding ceremony. From our first meeting with you through Zoom, through to our goodbye at [Venue], you have been nothing short of brilliant in the way you have handled all aspects of our ceremony. We were both so, so happy with the ceremony, and your relaxed nature added so much to our comfort and enjoyment of the occasion. We really value your approach and professionalism, even when [Groom] went missing in the lead up to the ceremony time (blame the photographers!). 

 

We have had so many beautiful and positive comments about the ceremony from a number of people since, spanning age ranges and backgrounds. The number one comment was about how personal the ceremony seemed; how you captured our personalities and love for each other. And for this we are so grateful. If there’s anything we can do for you in terms of pictures or recommendations, please let us know.”

J&B December 2019 

“Neither of us can believe how beautiful and personal it was, as well as how funny it turned out in moments. All our guests were singing your praises”. 

S&R. June 2019

“Sheila, thanks for today! Everybody is so blown away by the beautiful ceremony, myself and [Bride] are so happy we had you to share our day! Xx”

J&P August 2019

“You were able to include everything that was important to us in the ceremony, made sure all the moving parts were in their proper place and made us feel so comfortable every step of the way”

C&N July 2020

 

Thanks again for a perfect ceremony, it was really amazing and all the guests loved it! Let us know if we can write you a review or help in some other way, we were and are so happy with your work!!

N&J October 2020

 

Vow Renewal

“I just wanted to thank you, Sheila, you really dug in to our history and learned about us and that made all the difference. Your kindness, compassion, and generous spirit were apparent from the start and that’s a big part of why Friday was so special and meaningful to us both. 

AG & MG August 2019

 

Funeral

Thanks so much again for today – you did a great service for our family, and a fitting tribute for my mother. 

April, 2019