The funeral mass for two children killed in a car fire last week has heard they were vibrant children who were inseparable in life.
Hundreds of people have attended a Mass of the Angels for Mikey and Thelma Dennany at St Mel's Cathedral in Longford this morning.
"We the family would like to thank everyone for helping us to say farewell to Thelma and Mikey.
We say farewell because with the memories they left us through their short lives and infectious smile they will be with us forever."
Fr Sean Casey, Parish Priest of Killoe, reading a message from the family of the tragic brother and sister who died following the car fire near Multyfarnham.
The remains of the siblings were brought to the alter in a single white coffin with symbols of the lives of the two-year-old and his five-year-old sister life brought to the alter including artworks from a pre-school in Rathowen and St Cremin's National School in Multyfanham as well as their fishing rods which had yet to be used.
Prayers were offered for their parents, and brothers and sisters who the mass heard were weighed down by sorrow.
In his homily Fr Sean outlined how the brother and sister were always found together in life and now are together once more in heaven:
"Thelma and Mikey were vibrant children. They were inseparable in life. In the words of their Dad Michael – the only thing that separated them was school as they went their separate ways each morning. Thelma attended dancing classes and football training – Mikey always came to watch her training from the side-line. On Saturday week last he ventured onto the pitch for the first time to join her in the sport she loved. They loved to run and laugh and, feel the wind in their hair and to pick wild flowers. They looked forward to trying out their fishing rods. They are together now exploring the highways and byways of Heaven."
Fr Tom Healy, who is the Diocesan administrator for the Ardagh and Clonmacnoise Diocese also expressed his sympathies and described Mikey and Thelma as two bundles of joy:
"We are deeply saddened at the death of these two young beautiful children.
The photographs of their smiling faces speak to us of two bundles of joy who were loved and cherished and who no doubt filled the lives of their families and friends with vibrancy and joy.
We know that your loss is very deep."
Following the mass, the children were interred in Cullyfad cemetery.
5-year Thelma Dennany and her 2-year-old brother Mikey being brought into St.Mel’s Cathedral in Longford in a double white coffin.
Fr Sean Casey told mourners at their funeral this morning that the siblings were inseparable @NewstalkFM pic.twitter.com/mDWfUHOYer— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) September 15, 2022
