The unbearable pain of losing a young man only starting out on life’s journey coursed through a Donegal community today as mourners said a final farewell to Lewis Kelly.
The passing of the hugely popular 18-year-old has left Culdaff and the wider Inishowen area in deep shock and disbelief in recent days.
That same community came to a standstill this afternoon for the funeral of the promising young sportsman.
Lewis passed away peacefully at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, on Sunday last surrounded by his loving family, having taken unwell last Friday just hours after playing for his beloved Malin GAA Club.
Mourners packed into St Patrick’s Church, Aughaclay, while many more stood outside.
Hundreds more watched online from Funeral Director Eamonn McLaughlin’s stream, during one of the biggest funerals ever witnessed in the area.
Lewis was described as someone who “had self-confidence, carried himself well and showed respect and discipline.”
A talented player for Malin GAA and Culdaff FC, both clubs formed guards of honour for their teammate.
Lewis’ Malin clubmates, wearing club colours, filtered in to remember their teammate, with framed shirts from both clubs on the altar, all bearing the No 3.
Carndonagh Community School, where the popular sixth-year had been due to sit his Leaving Cert next month, put on buses to bring devastated staff and pupils to the funeral, which was concelebrated by Fr Peter Devlin.
The pride in Lewis from his parents, Michelle and Hugh, the gathering was told, was always evident. He will also be sorely missed by his sister Zevagh, his brothers Quinn and Regan and his girlfriend, Darcey. Lewis was the cherished grandson of Breege, Michael (RIP), Mary and Brian (RIP).
“Lewis certainly made his mother and father proud,” Pat McLaughlin, Malin GAA chairman, said. “There was very rarely a match when they weren’t there to watch him.
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“He had self-confidence, carried himself well and showed respect and discipline. He treated everyone very well, in the way he spoke to people.
“There’s a saying in the GAA community, and you see it advertised on the TV as well, ‘where we all belong’, and Lewis certainly belonged with us. In sport, you can become a leader. Last year, we gave him the chance to become a leader when he became captain of our minor team.
“He was very proud of that, as his family were. Look at his friends and teammates today and how proud they were of him. Lewis Kelly was their captain and leader.”
Local publican Johnny McGuinness said he was honoured to speak about Lewis, who he said: “Loved his football and his Football Special, so long as it was in a glass bottle and not a plastic one.”
Mr McGuinness of the family-owned pub in Culdaff, where Lewis worked since he was a young lad, spoke about the decency of a young man who was liked by everyone whose life he touched.
He said “We watched him grow. He had the rare ability to speak to all ages and make everyone laugh. He never once complained and would never leave without offering a helping hand. He was funny and full of life, full of warmth.
“He was full of confidence, full of mischief. He could turn an ordinary morning on the farm into a story that would stay with us forever. We would like to think that we try to teach certain people certain social skills in their work, but in those cases, it was Lewis teaching us. Rest in peace, Lewis.”
A fundraiser set up by the kindhearted local community to support Lewis’ family on GoFundMe, ‘Honouring Lewis – A Community’s Love,’ has raised over €110,000 in three days.
Lewis, following the Requiem Mass, was taken to his final resting place at Lagg Graveyard, as Jealous of the Angels rang around St Patrick’s.
The song, which features poignant verses about missing a loved one, with a chorus that reflects on their passing: “There will be another angel around the throne tonight; your love lives on inside of me, and I will hold on tight; it’s not my place to question, only God knows why I’m just jealous of the angels, around the throne tonight.”
Friends of the popular young man hugged eachother as they said goodbye to the young man whose sudden passing has left them with more questions than answers.
What there is no question about is that the short time they had with him will be time forever treasured.