'Our superstar, our family's Henry Sheflin' - Adam Kirwan laid to rest in Laois

Family, friends and a huge congregation of mourners converged on Mountrath for the funeral of young Laois man Adam Kirwan whose life and future was cut short last week in a car accident.

The hundreds in and outside St Fintan's Parish Church were among the thousands of people who have travelled to the Laois town to extend their heartfelt sympathy and support to Adam's family heartbroken family who said a final pain full goodbye to the 22-year-old with extended family, friends on Sunday, March 5.

Adam's mother Lourda and father Paul, and his beloved sister Marie were supported by their many relatives at the Mass which was also attended by local people in Mountrath and nearby Trumera for whom he hurled.

Also, there in large numbers were Adam's wide circle of friends from schools in Laois and college in Thurles. There was also a large contingent of teammates, coaches and representatives from the GAA community from his club Trumera, his county Laois and around the country.

The Mass was also attended by his teammates and coaches from Mary Immaculate College in Thurles with whom he won an All-Ireland College competition title in recent weeks. 

Mountrath Parish Priest Fr Joe Brophy, led mourners a the Funeral Mass in the packed Parish Church on Sunday afternoon. Fr Brophy welcomed everyone to Mountrath saying people were united in their "tears, loss and bewilderment" at Adam's death. He said that had caused a huge outpouring of grief and support for Adam's family.

He invited Adam's older sister Marie to speak to the congregation from the Altar at outset of the Mass. She did so in the form of a letter addressed to her late brother. She spoke of the disbelief of the love that had been taken far too soon.

"If only love could bring you back you'd have never left. To say we are brokenhearted is an understatement but it is the memories that we all have that will get us through this. Memories we will cherish forever," she said.

She recalled the family's world being lit up on the day she was told her mother was expecting Adam. She explained the meaning of his name.

"A for adored, D for devoted, A for amazing, M for magic," said Marie.

She talked of hurling's importance to her brother and she recalled his fulfilled dream to play for Laois.

"From the time you could walk hurling was the most important thing. You lived every day for the hurl and the small ball," she said.

She also remembered his love of school in Gaelscoil Thromaire and Mountrath Community School and him heading off every day with his hurling gear in hand.

Maria said he managed to marry hurling and his ambition to be a teacher by being admitted to Mary Immaculate Collge in Thurles which culminated in recent All-Ireland glory with the school.

She said her brother 'loved' hurling with his GAA club Trumera just as much.

"Biased as we are you were our superstar, our family's Henry Sheflin, in everything you done you gave it your all," she said.

She also read a poem sent to her about Adam which culminated in the words that Adam would "stay in hearts forever".

In his homily, Fr Brophy said there has been an almost overwhelming outpouring of love, care and affection for Adam as evidenced the huge number of people who attended his Reposal funeral Mass.

"So many people said to me such a lovely lad with the smile, the twinkle in the eye, and the mischief," he said.

He said he had known Adam and his parents and sister from his earliest days in the parish.

"You're just a truly beautiful family...Adam was shaped in your mould," he said.

Listing the names of Adam's parents, sister, grandparents, aunts, uncles and first cousins, Fr Brophy said they are all being carried in thoughts and prayers in a very special way. He also said Adam's many friends would be remembered in prayer.

Former GAA president Liam O'Neill taught Adam during his time at Gaelscoil Thromaire. He delivered the Eulogy on behalf of the Kirwan and Hosey families.

"The loss of Adam has left the communities of Trumera, Mountrath and surrounding communities enveloped by a pall of sadness and grief and helplessness the like of which we have seldom seen before," he said.

Mr O'Neill explained why.

"Adam is the type of person who comes along once in a generation. He was the brightest star in our sky because he had a really special way of making everybody feel good about themselves. Put simply he had happiness wherever he went," he said.

Towards the conclusion of the Mass, Aaron Gleeson recited a poem on the altar in Adam's honour called The Trumera Tiger. Aaron was a teammate of Adam on the Mary Immaculate College team which recently won the Ryan Cup All-Ireland Colleges Hurling title. The poem was written by the team coach Cian Treacy.

It concluded with the line: "As the final whistle blows and Adam is laid to rest, goodbye is so hard but we will carry him with us forever in our chest."

Fr Brophy concluded the Mass by saying he was blown away by the "kindness, care, and generosity of thousands of people" in recent days. He thanked all in Trumera GAA who helped with the Reposing and Funeral.

He also thanked those who had assisted with the Requiem Mass including the musicians who sang some of Adam's favourite songs. He thanked cocelebrants, Fr Micheál Murphy, Fr Kevin O'Neill, Fr Joe Walsh and Fr Eamon Fitzgibbon.

He recited a final verse in Adam's memory before concluding.

"Some people stay in our lives a while and leave footprints in our hearts and we are never ever the same," he said. 

Following the funeral Mass Adam's remains were taken on a final journey to his final resting place at St Fintan’s Cemetery, Mountrath.