RIP: A huge crowd pays respects at the heart-wrenching funeral of young Aoife Shelly

Thousands of people descended on the small village of Clonakenny to attend the funeral of young student Aoife Shelly on Thursday who sadly passed away early last week.

The 22-year-old - who had played two matches over the weekend before her passing - Aoife passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 30 after a short illness.

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Aoife’s teammates from Moyne Templetuohy LGFA and Templemore Camogie Club, as members of Clonakenny GAA club provided a guard of honour as the cortege made its way from her house, through the village to St Brigid’s Church, Clonakenny for requiem mass.

The church was filled to capacity from early morning along with a large crowd mourning outside as mourners surrounded the church to pay their respects.

Symbols remembering Aoife’s life were read out by her brother Eoin, and offered by friends and family during the mass, including a hurley and football to highlight her love of sport.

Also brought forward to indicate Aoife’s passions were Taylor Swift tickets, her college ID, an Irish dictionary, and rosary beads, highlighting both her love for music and her hard-working nature as a student at the University of Limerick where she was studying, and her strong religious faith.

Delivering the sermon was Aoife’s uncle Fr Eamonn Shelly who returned from his parish in Heuston, Texas in the US to mourn his niece.

In his sermon, Fr Shelly described the ‘beauty’ and ‘radiance’ that Aoife perfectly portrayed in living her short life. He highlighted how spiritual Aoife was throughout her life and how seriously she took her faith.

He told the congregation about her ‘sense of humour’ and remarked on how popular Aoife was amongst the local parish she called home and how the whole community had flocked around the Shelly family to support them after Aoife’s sad passing.

“I was talking with Fr Molloy on my way over from Heuston and he mentioned to me that he had never seen so many people in Clonakenny, and at the church. Outside, inside, everywhere,” Fr Shelly said.

He continued by saying: “That is a manifestation of human warmth in her in this young lady and the Shelly and Hassett family are really grateful for the outpouring of love from all these young people who have come from all parts.”

Fr Shelly added that she was so heavily involved with her studies in college as well as in her sporting career, saying there wasn’t just one, but four jerseys on her coffin at home prior to the funeral highlighting her relationships with Templemore Camogie, Moyne Templetuohy Ladies Football, Clonakenny GAA and University of Limerick GAA.

He finished by saying they will miss not having Aoife’s smile and upbeat attitude in their lives.

Aoife’s parents Joe and Claire delivered a joint eulogy for their daughter, speaking about the impact she made on so many lives and the gratitude they have for everyone who helped them in the days before and after Aoife’s untimely passing.

“I always believed that me and Joe were blessed with Aoife for a reason. While I wouldn’t be a deep thinker, in the rare moments of quiet, I initially thought that that reason was to keep me and Joe together,” Aoife’s mother Claire said.

“Her arrival strengthened us, softened us, and it made us love and support each other even more. That was all enhanced further when Eoin arrived nine years later.

“Thinking about all the time the four of us have spent together has allowed us to have the strength to sustain the events of these past days.

She continued: “Prior to this week, I firmly believed that Aoife was going to be one of those teachers and coaches who would have the power and influence to change the course of a young person’s life.

“And even in her passing, I truly still believe that she may have that influence.

“All of us have witnessed the unique power and strength of young people over the past few days. 

“It has been extremely difficult for us to see you all so upset but your presence and support to us and all our family has been such a source of comfort.

“Young people are amazing; something we always knew, but it has been reinforced for us in the last few days.”

Continuing the eulogy, her father Joe highlighted that: Aoife’s family were her world.”

“Her relationship with her grandparents, Eileen, Anne, and Tom are the strongest I have ever seen, while her relationship with her aunts and uncles was more like a brother and sister.

“Her cousins were her life and growing up with them and her cousins were her friends. We know they will miss her dearly.

“It is rare for a person of Aoife’s age to have touched so many communities and it is clear that Aoife has left her mark both literally and spiritually.

“Just know that in those moments that you miss Aoife, that we will be there for you, just as you have been there for us in these last few days.

“We are truly blessed with the neighbours that we have and we don’t know how we will ever be able to repay you for all you have done.

“Words cannot express how grateful we are that you are all here with us and the conversations we have had about Aoife this week have sustained us. Thank you.”

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