Leaving Cert student Bronagh English (18) had bought her Debs dress before fatal car crash, funeral mass hears
Hundreds of mourners came to pay their respects at her funeral mass near Clonmel on Tuesday.
They heard how Bronagh, known for her infectious personality, had been voted 'smiliest person' in her school year.
Her Rockwell College classmates and pupils of Powerstown NS, where Bronagh spent her formative years, formed a guard of honour at St John the Baptist Church, Powerstown, Clonmel, and heard how the fun-loving teen with a passion for skiing lit up every room with her smile.
Bronagh was fatally injured in a crash at Kilmoyler, near Cahir, last Thursday night, April 24. She is survived by her parents, Michael and Danielle, sister Mia, and brothers Mikey and David.
'Bronagh left the house on Thursday, studied all day, did a maths grind at 7pm. She told her mum she'd be back in 20 minutes.'
The Leaving Cert student was a 'wonderful child' and her family 'loved her to pieces.' Her adoring godparents 'spoilt her tremendously.'
Bronagh's parents noticed something special about her from a young age. 'She was far too good. We never had terrible twos. We said, in the early days, surely she's going to be a terrible teenager.
'Then she got to 13, 14, there was no problem, we said she might be a late developer. And still no problem. Bronagh definitely had something. She lived in the now. She lived in the present. When you spoke to her, she communicated back to you, she wasn't flicking on her phone. She was with you – she was in the moment.'
Years ago, they went fishing in the Amazon rainforest on a holiday. 'We expected to get big rods to catch these fish. But they came out with two lines and a little hook at the bottom of it.
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'Bronagh proceeded with her calmness to catch 13 of them in a row. Not one of us caught another fish that day,' recalled Michael. 'She was the only child or person I've ever met who asked for nothing, but had everything. It was an amazing way to be.'
Her gang of best friends, nicknamed 'The Rats' were wonderful friends to her. Rockwell College put on masses for the children.
'Bronagh loved her six years in Rockwell. She adored her time there. She loved the musicals, she loved the JCT matches, the SCT matches. She was of course the lead cheerleader. She just loved it and the support we've got from the principal, the vice principal, and the priests, was fabulous. These are horrific times and that support is really appreciated,' added Michael.
Her teachers in Powerstown NS have been 'fabulous' and her favourite occasion in the year was Fr Peter Ahearne's Christmas vigil mass. 'She absolutely adored it.'
Bronagh's mother Danielle thanked the emergency services 'on that horrendous Thursday night'. 'You were beyond amazing. We are so grateful.'
Her classmates offered up symbols representing Bronagh's love of life. John English and William Ormonde carried up family photographs, James Carty a pair of ski goggles, Olivia Walsh a pair of dancing shoes, Ruby Ffrench Davis a photo of her friends, and Philomena Gilman a Rockwell College jumper.
Mia read out a poem to her late big sister:
Thursday night to tragic news we were woken into a million pieces. Our hearts, they were broken, a sister, a friend, a daughter, a niece. Bronagh's in heaven now where she now rests in peace. Her wonderful laugh which you could hear from a mile Bronagh could light up a room with her beautiful smile. She loved Greta and Tony, Carmel and John, Mikey and David and of course Dad and Mom. Seeing her with her friends was a wonderful sight Bronagh loved skiing all day, and she could definitely party all night From Powerstown to Rockwell, she was loved by all, adored by her cousins always having a ball Bronagh was so funny with a great imagination, Chinese on a Friday with some weird food combinations. When playing for Moyle Rovers she scored one of the best goals we've ever seen. Having Bronagh as my sister it was really the dream. She loved to hang out in her room, with music blaring on her speaker. Whoever knew our Bronagh was so lucky to meet her. We'll always remember you Bronagh, your gorgeous pretty smile. We'll always carry you with us day by day and mile by mile. So goodbye our beautiful Bronagh You'll never know how much we'll miss you Rest in peace up there in heaven, my best friend and beautiful sister.
Burial was afterwards in the adjoining graveyard.
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