The people of Clonmel bid a sad farewell to Carrie Acheson

The people of Clonmel today bid a sad farewell to the late Carrie Acheson, a much-loved figure who made a massive contribution to the business, political and community life of the town and county.

The first female TD to be elected to Dail Eireann from the Tipperary South constituency and former Mayor of Clonmel was laid to rest at St Patrick's cemetery following Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church on Thursday morning.

The funeral service was attended by a huge crowd which reflected the esteem in which she was held by the people of Clonmel,  business people, politicians and the farming community.

Fr Billy Meehan, chief celebrant of the Requiem Mass, described Carrie as an iconic figure in Clonmel and told mourners that Carrie represented the very essence of a leader.

"She was a charismatic leader, a very committed person who did what she could for the Clonmel community," Fr Meehan told mourners.    

Aide-de-camp to President Michael D Higgins, Commandant Stephen Howard and Aide-de-camp to Tánaiste Micheál Martin  Captain Liam Lannigan were among the attendance at the funeral.

Also among the mourners  were the Mayor of Clonmel Cllr Pat English, members of Clonmel Borough District and former members of Clonmel Corporation,chairman of Tipperary County Council Cllr Roger Kennedy, members of Tipperary County Council and former members of Tipperary South County Council, of which Carrie was a member.

Serving TD's, former TD's and former members of the Oireachtas from Tipperary and other parts of the country, were also in attendance. Jockey Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead were among the horse racing figures that attended the funeral.

Her son Brian, in a moving tribute to his mother at the conclusion of the Requiem Mass, said growing up, he always thought  that his mother was invincible.

"They say you should never meet your heroes because you may be let down.Carrie was my hero for 58 years and she never let me down," said Brian Acheson.

Profound sadness at passing of a much-loved legendary Clonmel figure

Carrie Acheson: A trailblazer who was a formidable force in business, politics and community life

Carrie's remains, with the coffin draped in the tricolour,  left the church to the strains of You'll Never Walk Alone, and                 the members and officials of Clonmel  Borough District, dressed in their ceremonial robes, provided the guard of honour as the cortege made its way through the town. 

A minutes silence was held as the cortege stopped outside Clonmel Town Hall, where Carrie had proudly served as a member of Clonmel Corporation, and a minutes silence was also observed outside the Dinny Lacey Hall on the way towards St Patrick's cemetery.

At various stages of the funeral members of the Clonmel Show Society, members of the National Ploughing Association, members of Fianna Fail and members of the 3rd Tiperary Brigade Old IRA formed guard of honours to escort Carrie on her last journey through her beloved town of Clonmel.