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Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Irish Independent
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. ADVERTISEMENT '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.
The Journal
29-04-2025
- General
- The Journal
'So funny, with a great imagination': Funeral mass held for teenager who died in Tipperary crash
A LEAVING CERTIFICATE student who died after her car hit a wall and entered the river in South Tipperary was voted the 'smiliest person' in her year and had already bought her dress for her Debs ball, her requiem mass has heard. Brónagh English died when her car left the left the road at Kilaldry Bridge in Kilmoyler, Cahir and entered the River Aherlow last Thursday at around 10pm. Her body was recovered by a Garda sub aqua team last Friday morning. Brónagh's coffin was brought in to St John the Baptist Church in Powerstown, Clonmel for her requiem mass today to the sound of a soloist singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and 'Smile' Her father Michael said that when Brónagh left the house last Thursday evening she told her mother Danielle of her plan to return home in about twenty minutes. 'And that was the end of our Bro. She was a wonderful child. We loved her to pieces as parents. Myself and Danielle noticed something special about her in the early days. We thought there was something wrong with her as she was far too good.' 'We never had terrible twos. We thought 'she is going to be a terrible teenager surely' and then she got to 13 or 14 and we thought maybe she was a late developer in teens and still no problem.' 'She had something. She lived in the now. She lived in the present. She was fun right now. She was in the moment.' Michael said six months ago he and Danielle read a statistic that by the time your child is 18, you will have spent 90 percent of the time you will ever have with them. 'The point of it was that we only had 10 percent more physical team with Brónagh. We were devastated on that day when we read that stat that after 18 kids move on. We would love to have that time back.' Advertisement Michael thanked Brónagh's close knit group of friends, who are nicknamed 'The Rats,' for all the joy they had brought to their home over the years. He was joined on the altar by his wife Danielle who thanked the emergency services for being 'beyond amazing' in the aftermath of the accident. Brónagh's sister Mia said that her sibling was her best friend. 'Brónagh was so funny with a great imagination. Chinese on a Friday with some weird food combinations. Having Brónagh my sister was really the dream. We will always carry you with us day by day and mile by mile.' Symbols of her life brought to the altar included photographs of Brónagh and her beloved friends and family, her dancing shoes representing her flair for ballroom dancing, a fishing rod to represent a family holiday where she caught 13 fish in the Amazon Rainforest, and her Rockwell College school jumper. Nine priests celebrated the mass. These included priests from Rockwell College and her grand uncle Fr Michael English. Chief celebrant at the mass Fr Peter Ahearne thanked Taoiseach Micheal Martin for sending an aide de camp to represent him at the mass. He said that Brónagh 'radiated friendship' and lit up every room she entered. 'Brónagh for her family was a sacred gift. She radiated joy. Brónagh lived a full life. She was involved in sport, music and dancing. She gave her time to her friends,' said Ahearne. Her two brothers Mikey and David were among those who recited Prayers of the Faithful. Brónagh is survived by her parents Michael and Danielle, her siblings Mia, Mikey and David, her grandparents Greta and Donnie Ormonde and Carmel English, her aunts and uncles, her '21 adored first cousins', extended family and a wide circle of friends. She was recently predeceased by her grandfather John English. Brónagh lay in repose at her family home in Anner Park House, Waterford Road in Clonmel, Co Tipperary yesterday before being brought to the church for noon requiem mass today. At the end of the mass the coffin was taken from the church to the adjoining cemetery for burial.
BreakingNews.ie
29-04-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Funeral hears Leaving Cert student (18) who died in Co Tipperary collision already bought her Debs dress
Brónagh English, a Leaving Cert student who died when the car she was driving hit a wall and entered a river in Co Tipperary on Thursday night last 'already had her Debs dress picked out' was laid to rest on Tuesday. The Rockwell College student, died following the incident at Kilaldry Bridge in the townland of Kilmoyler on Thursday night. Advertisement Gardai were alerted after Ms English failed to return to her home in Clonmel on Thursday night. Her oak coffin adorned with a white and pink Gerbera and Lily floral wreath, was carried into St John the Baptist Church, Powerstown, Clonmel, Co Tipperary for midday Requiem Mass to the strains of Somewhere over the Rainbow. At the end of the ceremony her younger sister Mia described Brónagh as her, ' "best friend and beautiful sister. Having Brónagh as my sister was really the dream. We will always remember you Brónagh, your gorgeous pretty smile we will always carry with us, day by day and mile by mile. You will never know how much we miss you. Rest in peace up there in heaven.' Her emotional father, Michael, supported by his wife Danielle, also spoke about their eldest child and the last time they saw her. Advertisement 'This is an absolutely dreadful time. Bronagh left the house at 8pm last Thursday. Studied all day, did a maths grind. She told her mum she would see her in 20 minutes and that was the end of our Bró last Thursday. She was a wonderful child we loved her to pieces. "Myself and Danielle noticed something special about Bróagh in the early days in fact we thought there was something wrong.. She was too normal. She had something. "She lived in the now and in the present. She was in the moment. She communicated with you. She was just a wonderful child. She asked for nothing and got everything. 'To her best friends 'The Rats' I'm not sure where that name came from, they spent every weekend in our house. Brónagh loved her six years in Rockwell. These are horrific times. To her two wonderful brothers, she is so proud of you and her sister Mia also.' Advertisement Fr Peter Ahearne, who concelebrated the funeral mass with 10 other priests, told mourners: "Our hearts are weighed down by grief for Brónagh. We gather in great sorrow and shock as tragedy leaves us speechless. 'All our hearts go out in sympathy to Bronagh's family. At a time like this any words that we can use cannot really ease the pain and trauma they are going through. Their world of happiness has been shattered. 'A sword will pierce your own soul too, and this symbolises the great shock and pain the family are going through. Parents take their children to the church to be baptised. "Brónagh for her family, was a sacred gift. She radiated joy, love, joy and friendship for family and friends. When a young person dies, an image of flowers comes to mind. Advertisement 'There are always flowers which blossom before others, they have come to perfection, they are symbols of love. "When young people die young something similar takes place. Brónagh in her short life, has achieved perfection. Brónagh left her family some wonderful memories. She was generous and shared her friendship with so many." Fr Ahearne recounted how his many memories of the 18-year-old 'started way, way back'. He recalled: 'She came to church when she was young, she came to Sunday School with her Mum Danielle, she made her first penance, first communion and confirmation here. Advertisement "She was good at coming to mass. This church is her spiritual home. In her short years, she lived a full life. She loved sport, dancing and giving her time to her friends. She was looking forward to sitting her Leaving Cert, She had her Debs dress picked out. She had her own dreams for the future. 'These are moments when we need hope, her life was cut down at a young age. Moments when the normal cycle of life is interrupted these are times when we need love and strength. Brónagh will live on in the minds and hearts of her loved ones always.' Ireland Pensioner (83) recovered 'sensitive' data from wom... Read More Her family members brought up gifts which symbolised the Leaving Cert student's life. Photos of her with her family were presented as mourners heard she brightened up every family party with her smile and sense of fun. Other gifts included a pair of ski goggles, as she loved the slopes from where she had just returned, a fishing rod which represented a wonderful holiday to the Amazon Rainforest where she caught 13 fish and became famous amongst the locals, dancing shoes as she had a flare for ballroom dancing, her school jumper, as Rockwell was a special place for her, and photos of great friends. Ms English is survived by her parents Michael and Danielle, sister Mia, brothers Mikey and David, grandparents Greta and Donie Ormonde and Carmel and her recently deceased husband John English. The teenager was laid to rest in the adjoining church graveyard. President Michael D Higgins was represented by his aide-de-camp.
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘We'll always carry you with us' – Heartbroken sister & dad of Tipperary teen, 18, killed in crash pay funeral tribute
THE tragic teenager who died after her car left the road and went into the water in Co Tipperary on Thursday had already bought a dress for her Debs Ball, mourners at her funeral heard today. Bronagh English, 18, sadly passed away after the car she was driving Her body was later recovered from the water by members of the The teenager was in her Leaving Cert year, with many friends and fellow students at Rockwell College taking part in the funeral mass to remember Bronagh. The priest shared that during her short life, Bronagh attended Sunday READ MORE IN NEWS He also said she had her Giving a heartbreaking eulogy, Bronagh's sister Mia remembered her through a heartbreaking poem she had written. Mia said: "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. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "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. 'ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU' "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 grown 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." 'FAR TOO GOOD' Bronagh's parents also said a few words, saying they almost thought there was something wrong with their daughter as she was simply "too good" Her devastated dad Michael said: "In the early days we both thought there was something wrong with her, she was far too good and I mean that in a normal sense. "She never had terrible twos. We said in the early days she's going to be a terrible teenager surely and then she got to 13, 14, there was no problem. "We said she might be a late developer in teens and still no problem. "She lived in the now and she lived in the present. She was fun. She was with you. She was in the moment. that's what I noticed about her and she was just a wonderful child. "Bronagh loved her six years in Rockwell. She adored her time there, everything. She loved the musicals. "She loved the JCT matches, the SCT matches, the cheerleading. She was, of course, the lead cheerleader "Needless to say, she just loved it." 1 Bronagh has been remembered as a 'beautiful' girl Credit: Garda handout
The Irish Sun
26-04-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘Deeply missed and forever loved' – Funeral details for teen, 18, killed in Tipp crash as heartbreaking tributes pour in
THE funeral details for a 'deeply missed and forever loved' teenage girl killed in a Tipperary road crash have been confirmed. Bronagh English, 18, died after the car she was driving left the road at Kilaldry Bridge at Kilmoyler in Cahir and entered the River Aherlow. The Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene of the incident but the young woman, who was the only occupant of the car, was fatally injured in the crash. Her body was later recovered from the water by members of the Bronagh's family have now confirmed she will be laid to rest on Tuesday. READ MORE IN NEWS She is survived by her parents Michael and Danielle and siblings Mia, Mikey and David. Bronagh is the cherished granddaughter of Greta and Donie Ormonde and Carmel and her recently deceased husband John English. She is also he "much loved niece" of Edward, Sean, Peter, James, Philip, John, Claire, Niamh, Elizabeth, Gill, Sinead, Elaine, Norma, Stephan, Ger and Johnny. The young woman is also "deeply missed and forever loved" by her 21 first cousins, the rest of her relatives and her wide circle of friends. Most read in Irish News The funeral will take place on Tuesday April 29 at 12pm, in St. John the Baptist Church, Powerstown, Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads Bronagh will be laid to her final resting place in the adjoining cemetery following the mass. Announcing the funeral details her heartbroken family expressed their "immense sadness". They said: "It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Bronagh, who was taken from us far too soon." 'KIND, VIBRANT, HAPPY' The young teenager was in her Posting on social media Rockwell College said: "The Rockwell College community mourns the loss of our 6th Year student, Bronagh English. "Bronagh was a kind, vibrant, happy, and talented student and friend who will be dearly missed and remembered with great love. "We ask you to please keep Bronagh's parents, siblings, wider family, and friends in your thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace." MARK OF RESPECT The local Moyle Rovers Ladies Football said they were "very shocked and deeply saddened" by Bronagh's tragic passing. In a statement they said: ""Bronagh played with our club for a short while at a young age. "Her sister Mia is a current player, her brothers play with the Moyle Rovers club and her family have been great supporters over many years. "As we mourn the very sad passing of a talented young life and former player our sympathies go out to Bronagh's family and we will do all we can to help and support them in whatever way we can." They continued: "As a mark of our respect all Ladies Football activities in Monroe are suspended for the weekend. "The Tipp LGFA Feile will not be played in Monroe as was scheduled for Sunday and our U15 girls have respectfully withdrawn from the competition. "Tomorrow's U14 League Semi Final has also been postponed. Sunday's Senior League Semi Final has been postponed." Damian Johnston of Chairperson of Tipperary LGFA added: "On behalf of Tipperary LGFA, I wish to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bronagh. "Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and also with the wider community of Moyle Rovers LGFA, GAA and Camogie clubs and all that knew Bronagh." 'A FABULOUS GIRL' And tributes have flooded in from the wider community following Bronagh's tragic passing. One mourner said: "Bronagh was a fabulous girl, any time spent with her was an absolute pleasure." Another said: "A beautiful young girl taken far too soon for anyone to comprehend." One person added: "Bronagh always had a bright smile and always looked out for others." And another said: "She was the kindest girl with the biggest smile. "She brightened the lives of everyone who had the honour and pleasure of knowing her." 1 The young teen tragically passed away during the week Credit: Garda Press Office
