'Our hearts are broken' - RTE chef Eunice Power tell mourners at son's funeral

Irish Daily Mirror

16-05-2025

There were emotional scenes this morning as the young amateur jockey son of TV chef Eunice Power was laid to rest following.
Today Show co-presenter Eunice's son Jerome died on Monday and she held back tears as she told mourners 'we were so lucky to have him, even for just 24 years'. Family and friends wept during the Requiem Mass at St Mary's Parish Church in the family's hometown of Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
Telly chef mum Eunice, who cooks on RTE's Today Show and presents on occasion with co-host Daithi O'Se, led mourners with her husband Edmund and their other children Micheál and Kieran. Heartfelt words of appreciation were expressed by his mum and dad.
Mum Eunice said it was 'hard to put into words' the 'mischief, the force of energy' that was Jerome, who she described as a 'loveable rogue' with a 'glint in his eye'. She spoke of Jerome, the middle of her three sons, and remembered how, 'when together, they would howl with laughter'.
Eunice said her boy's first love was horses from the age of just six years old and how 'nothing could keep him away from the saddle' but she revealed that his 'biggest talent was fun', that he was 'always on the go'. She spoke of how, in his teenage years, 'I would take him with me to work' and praised his love of other sports, from hurling and more recently skiing, and how he would 'throw himself into everything with tenacity and charm'.
Eunice said: 'He wasn't just good at things, he made sure that he was brilliant.' She spoke of his love for the social aspect of school, how he had great friendships, and how he loved his friends and how they loved him. She remembered family car journeys 'were never quiet' with Jerome complaining that dad Edmund 'was not going fast enough'.
The heartbroken mum said: 'He'd wind down the windows and tell his father to go faster and faster.' Mourners heard her words speak of her son's love for his cousins, how this all part of 'Jerome's world', how he was 'always in the mix and always a man with style. He would say, 'Where are you going dressed like that?'
'He was warm and generous. He fell in love easily and sometimes dramatically. He drove across the UK for love and returned broken-hearted and for months later he played love songs on his guitar.' She joked that 'when Jerome called home, we never knew where he was calling from'. She said that he 'set the bar' high, how he was a 'jockey, a singer, a dreamer, a lover of life'.
She said: 'He loved his family and his bond with his brothers was really special.' Eunice described her eldest son Micheal as Jerome's 'quiet protector' who 'made sure that Jerome got home safe' and said brother Kieran was 'Jerome's partner in crime' and how they were 'always laughing, always up to something'.
She added: 'Together the three of them were a force. They loved each other. And now Jerome is gone.' Eunice said her son was a 'rogue' and a 'wonderful son' and 'above all, he was unforgettable.' She said: 'Our hearts are broken but we were so lucky to have him, even for just 24 years.'
Alongside his mum's TV work, Eunice is gourmet catering entrepreneur who has worked at several celebrity weddings. She is also the coordinator of the Waterford Festival of Food and the owner of gourmet takeaway And Chips in Waterford. The congregation also heard a short eulogy from Eunice's husband Edmund, who remembered their son surfing in Portugal and racing in Cahirciveen. He said: 'I was proud of my son. We have memories to last forever.'
Gifts that represented Jerome's life were taken to the altar, including his passport, which mourners were told was always 'found in his back pocket because he was always up for a last-minute adventure'. His 'swimming togs' and boxing gloves, which were described as his 'newest interest' which he loved to use for 'training with his brother Kieran', plus his fishing rod because he 'loved spending time with his cousins'.
Parish Priest Fr Willie Ryan welcomed the family into the packed church with over 1,600 people attending the Mass online. Fr Ryan said: 'On this sad occasion, we welcome Jerome's parents Edmund and Eunice and his brothers Micheál and Kieran. The death of every young person is a tragedy. It is a jolt, a shock a turn of events that affects us all.
'Years that should unfold day by day, hopes that should have been fulfilled over time, goals that should be achieved over the years, a life shortened, frozen in time, pain and sorrow, grief and loss, darkness and answerable questions. Those closest to him are left bewildered. How will they go on without him?'
He added: 'Grief is very great today as we remember Jerome. His parents Edmund and Eunice spoke to me about him, his young life, how charismatic he was. About his many friends, his love of music, that he was a brilliant singer, and was so close to so many. We pray that Jerome may rest in peace.'
Before his funeral, Jerome's family said he would be 'deeply mourned and sadly missed'. Tributes were paid to Jerome as a 'bright and passionate' amateur jockey and a 'funny and warm' young man. Head of RTÉ Cork, Colm Crowley, said: "Deepest condolences to Eunice and family on this great loss, from all of your many friends in RTÉ in Cork."
Jerome was a keen jockey and a graduate of the pony racing circuit, who had a handful rides in point-to-points in recent years. He was a talented GAA player who lined out for his local club, Brickey Rangers, who paid tribute to the young man in a message shared online.
A club spokesperson said: "All here in Brickey Rangers were deeply saddened by the news that Jerome Power has passed away. Jerome played underage with the club. His parents Eunice and Edmund have been a constant support to the club over the years. We extend our deepest sympathy to his [family].'
A former teacher of Jerome's said: "Dear Edmund, Eunice, Michael and Kieran, and all Jerome's extended family and many friends. My sincere sympathy to you all on the sudden loss of your beloved Jerome. I taught Jerome in Shannon College. He had a beautiful smile and a kind disposition. May his gentle soul Rest in Peace."
After the Mass, Jerome was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery St Mary's Parish Church in Dungarvan.