Westport falls silent in tribute to 'a true gentleman'

SCENES of extraordinary emotion descended on Westport this week following the untimely death of Adam Mulchrone of Sandyhill, writes CLAIRE McNAMARA.

The 21-year-old student died suddenly last Sunday at Mayo University Hospital and his passing left the community reeling and stunned in disbelief.

Huge crowds gathered in solidarity today for his Requiem Mass, a testimony to the huge regard in which he was held. 

As his coffin was brought into the St. Mary's Church by family members, inconsolable in their grief, the evocative song, You Are Not Alone by Michael Jackson, accompanied his remains to the altar.

With grief in her voice, Adam’s heartbroken sister, Amy, spoke before the funeral ceremony of the family's immeasurable loss.

In an extraordinary show of resolve, she spoke eloquently of him as a special, compassionate, humble and strong brother, describing him as 'the perfect definition of a true gentleman'.

“We will miss your kindness and walking in the door after a training session. His love for Westport United and his friends was evident over the past number of days.

“We are so proud of you for all your achievements and no words could ever explain the love we have for you. You will be forever in our hearts,” she concluded, through tears, the church erupting into heartfelt applause.

Symbols brought to the altar representing a life well-lived, but cut so cruelly short, were a football, college book, Westport United jersey and a scrapbook.

In his homily, Fr. Charlie McDonnell, chief celebrant, and assisted by other clergy, spoke about how Adam's favourite number was 27 and the irony of how he so sadly passed away on Sunday the 27th of January

“We gather in sadness, shock and sorrow and all we can do is care for each other in the midst of grief.

“He was a man who led by example and always doing what had to be done. Sadly, we don't have answers to why this happened and there are many unanswered questions. All we can say is you are not alone and we hope as a family you will find comfort in that.

“The loss of a child is a particular kind of loss. It is beyond comprehension that someone with their whole life ahead of them and to look forward to just ended so prematurely. His life was short, but well-lived and he did so much in his 21 years. He will be forever young,” Fr. McDonnell stated.

The moving music, sung beautifully by Ann Marie Gibbons, accompanied by Gerard McNally on piano, wafted down from the church gallery and many within the capacity congregation cried quietly.

As the ceremony concluded, the Westport United team gathered in unity and led the coffin down the church aisle in a touching tribute to their dear friend.

As the funeral cortege left outside St. Mary's Church, draped in the Westport United colours and flanked by his former teammates and friends, the town fell silent.

Traffic paused and, in a collective mark of respect, motorists and mourners, and those just passing by, stopped and blessed themselves as his remains made the poignant journey to his final resting place in Aughagower Cemetery.

He is survived by his heartbroken parents Paul and Mary, his brother Colin, sister Amy and a large circle of family and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

May he rest in peace.