A Tribute to Mr. Jack Donoghue

After a prolonged illness, Craughwell man, Jack Donoghue passed away peacefully last weekend, surrounded by his loving family.

Husband of 57 years to Mary, father to Brigid, Julia, John, Kathleen, Bernadette, Martin, Tommy and Pamela, he is also mourned by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his siblings.

He was predeceased by his children Helen and Daniel.

There was a huge attendance at his removal from Dignity Funeral Home Loughrea with hundreds of traveller communities from all over the country who came to pay their respects, as well as extended family, friends and neighbours.

His funeral mass in St. Colman’s church, Craughwell was also full to capacity. Gifts to resemble his life were brought to the altar; a ceramic horse to celebrate his lifelong association with horses and ponies, a barrel top wagon symbol of the wandering lifestyle of his parents’ era, a statue of Our Lady to acknowledge Jack’s faith and devotion, a rosary beads representing his great belief in the power of prayer and a large framed photo of Jack with his entire family.

In his homily Fr. Barry Horan spoke about Craughwell church being special to Jack, where he attended mass every Sunday, a place of prayer and worship. In recent years, living with illness, he said that like Christ Jack knew pain and suffering, but got comfort from his deep faith.

Fr. Barry also spoke of the esteem Jack had in the local community and further afield, the outpouring of support being testament to that. He reiterated the fact that it was family that meant everything to Jack, family, faith and friends.

Well dressed teenage girls and young boys read meaningful and personal Prayers of the Faithful.

His daughters brought the Offertory gifts to the altar.

The eulogy, composed by his grandchildren Ciara and Ian, eloquently delivered by Marissa was a rich and fitting tribute. Born in 1948 in Roscommon, Jack’s father died young, leaving behind a large family. Jack worked hard on farms from a very early age to support his mother and siblings.

Marissa said her grandparents were a loving couple, always together, an inspiration to their family, devoted to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. With these final words, patriarch, ‘Big Jack,’ as he was known within the family, was given the perfect send off from St. Colman’s church, before his burial in Mount Pleasant cemetery, Loughrea.

In true traveller tradition his coffin was lowered in song.

Leaba i measc na nAingeal go raibh aige.