Master brewer who died in Cork house fire remembered as ‘gentle giant with big heart'
died in a house fire in Cork city
last week knew the importance of time and 'put more into the life of others than he took out,' his requiem Mass has heard.
Peter Lyall, who was remembered as a 'gentle giant with a big heart,' died when a fire broke out at
his home in Hollyhill
in the early hours of July 21st.
The 57-year-old, who worked at the Franciscan Well brewery in Cork for over two decades, was pronounced dead at the scene. His beloved dog Charlie also died. His partner Anna Neville managed to get out of the property and was transferred to hospital.
Fr Sean O'Sullivan told mourners at St Mary's on the Hill Church, in Knocknaheeny on Monday that Mr Lyall learned a lot about life from the brewing process which he said involves 'choosing the finest ingredients', blending them in the right proportions and then giving them the time to ferment.
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'Family, friendship, his passion for work, his love of basketball and coaching, his love of fun and a bit of craic – they were the ingredients of his life he blended them into something that, like his beer, will last long beyond them.'
Mr Lyall had also been a coach at Fr Mathew's Basketball club in the city.
Shane Long, founder of The Franciscan Well bar and brewery, said Mr Lyall was a modest man.
He said Mr Lyall was 'instrumental in producing a beer called Sunbeam' and that he never took any credit for it.
'And when everybody else is gone from here, his beer will still be there, a lasting memory for the amazing man he was.'
He also said Mr Lyall met Ms Neville, 'the love of his life', over three decades ago and adored her, their children and grandchildren.
Mr Lyall's grandson Paul said he had an infectious laugh which could be 'heard across a room and maybe even through the walls'.
Chanice and Kia said he was a 'magical' grandfather who made them feel safe and loved and always told them how proud he was of them.
Mr Lyall is survived by his partner Ms Neville, his daughters Sarah and Johann, his five siblings, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.
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2 days ago
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House fire victim hailed as ‘gentle giant with big heart'
Tributes were paid to Peter Lyall (57) at his funeral mass A master brewer who died in a Cork house fire has been hailed as 'a gentle giant with a big heart'. Tributes were paid to Peter Lyall (57) as mourners at his funeral mass heard he treated people with the same respect he brought to his brewing craft – giving everything care, time and his full attention. He worked at the Franciscan Well brewery in Cork city for over two decades as their master brewer. Mr Lyall died when a fire broke out at his home in Ardcullen estate in Hollyhill, Cork, in the early hours of July 21. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His beloved dog Charlie also died in the fire. Peter Lyall Mr Lyall's partner Anna managed to escape the property. She was assisted by neighbours before being transferred to hospital. Fr Sean O'Sullivan told mourners at St Mary's on the Hill Church, Knocknaheeny, that Mr Lyall learnt a lot about life from the brewing process. 'There is something about that process of brewing that probably has something to say to us today, because it involves choosing the finest ingredients and raw materials, blending them together in the right proportion, achieving the right mix, the right balance, and then allowing them the time to ferment, giving them time. It can't be rushed,' he said. He said Mr Lyall knew that, not just in his work as a brewer, but in his life. 'Family, friendship, his passion for work, his love of basketball and coaching, his love of fun and a bit of craic – they were the ingredients of his life he blended them into something that, like his beer, will last long beyond them.' Fr O'Sullivan said that Mr Lyall understood the value of time. 'He gave time to each of those elements, allowing him to ferment and to develop, to grow richer. And one of his great gifts seems to have been his ability to make time for people to chat, to coach, to enjoy a pint or to help a colleague. One of the legacies he leaves is to remind us how important it is to give time to what is truly important to us,' he said. Shane Long, founder of the Franciscan Well bar and brewery, said Mr Lyall was a modest man who 'never claimed credit for anything'. When everybody else is gone from here, his beer will still be there 'There are several people in here that he did favours for. The only people who ever knew that was the person he did the favour for and himself,' he said. 'One of the beers he was instrumental in producing was a beer called Sunbeam. And it is in Benny McCabe's bars. And he never took credit for that. But it will be in the [Franciscan] Well today. And when everybody else is gone from here, his beer will still be there. A lasting memory for the amazing man he was.' He said Mr Lyall met 'the love of his life' Anna over three decades ago and adored her, their children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, Mr Lyall's grandson Paul said he had an infectious laugh that could be 'heard across a room and maybe even through the walls'. Peter Lyall Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 28th 'As a child, I remember thinking you were a giant and I would hold your hand and feel so huge. Now we are faced with such a huge loss but I know you will be watching over us. We will always think of you,' he said. Granddaughters Chanice and Kia said Mr Lyall was a 'magical' grandfather who made them feel safe and loved, and always told them how proud he was of them. Offertory gifts at the mass included a basketball, a mug, glasses, a packet of Tayto crisps and a bottle of Coke, 'which he couldn't live without'. A picture of his late dog Charlie was next to a photograph of him on the coffin. Mr Lyall is survived by his partner Anna, his daughters, his five siblings, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.
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Irish Independent
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Tributes were paid to Peter Lyall (57) as mourners at his funeral mass heard he treated people with the same respect he brought to his brewing craft – giving everything care, time and his full attention. He worked at the Franciscan Well brewery in Cork city for over two decades as their master brewer. Mr Lyall died when a fire broke out at his home in Ardcullen estate in Hollyhill, Cork, in the early hours of July 21. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His beloved dog Charlie also died in the fire. Fr Sean O'Sullivan told mourners at St Mary's on the Hill Church, Knocknaheeny, that Mr Lyall learnt a lot about life from the brewing process. 'There is something about that process of brewing that probably has something to say to us today, because it involves choosing the finest ingredients and raw materials, blending them together in the right proportion, achieving the right mix, the right balance, and then allowing them the time to ferment, giving them time. It can't be rushed,' he said. He said Mr Lyall knew that, not just in his work as a brewer, but in his life. 'Family, friendship, his passion for work, his love of basketball and coaching, his love of fun and a bit of craic – they were the ingredients of his life he blended them into something that, like his beer, will last long beyond them.' Fr O'Sullivan said that Mr Lyall understood the value of time. 'He gave time to each of those elements, allowing him to ferment and to develop, to grow richer. And one of his great gifts seems to have been his ability to make time for people to chat, to coach, to enjoy a pint or to help a colleague. One of the legacies he leaves is to remind us how important it is to give time to what is truly important to us,' he said. Shane Long, founder of the Franciscan Well bar and brewery, said Mr Lyall was a modest man who 'never claimed credit for anything'. When everybody else is gone from here, his beer will still be there 'There are several people in here that he did favours for. The only people who ever knew that was the person he did the favour for and himself,' he said. 'One of the beers he was instrumental in producing was a beer called Sunbeam. And it is in Benny McCabe's bars. And he never took credit for that. But it will be in the [Franciscan] Well today. And when everybody else is gone from here, his beer will still be there. A lasting memory for the amazing man he was.' He said Mr Lyall met 'the love of his life' Anna over three decades ago and adored her, their children and grandchildren. Meanwhile, Mr Lyall's grandson Paul said he had an infectious laugh that could be 'heard across a room and maybe even through the walls'. 'As a child, I remember thinking you were a giant and I would hold your hand and feel so huge. Now we are faced with such a huge loss but I know you will be watching over us. We will always think of you,' he said. Granddaughters Chanice and Kia said Mr Lyall was a 'magical' grandfather who made them feel safe and loved, and always told them how proud he was of them. Offertory gifts at the mass included a basketball, a mug, glasses, a packet of Tayto crisps and a bottle of Coke, 'which he couldn't live without'. A picture of his late dog Charlie was next to a photograph of him on the coffin. Mr Lyall is survived by his partner Anna, his daughters, his five siblings, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.
