Shane Gillespie recalled as ‘A man who would light up a room with his presence’

Family, friends, team-mates, colleagues, and students past and present were among the thousands of mourners who attended the funeral Mass of Shane Gillespie.

The Mass took place on Wednesday morning, November 13, in St Agatha’s Church, Clar. Mourners spilled out into the churchyard, and hundreds of cars lined a two-mile stretch of the N15, testament to the many lives Shane touched in his 39 years. 

Shane, late of Keenaghan, Kilmacrennan, and formerly of Brookfield, Donegal Town passed away suddenly on Saturday evening. Among the many people who will miss him dearly are his wife Donna, daughters Katie and Amy, parents Sean and Rosemarie, sister Gemma (Dave), brother Patrick (Sharon), Ronan (Aileen), mother-law Mary Sweeney, father-in-law James Sweeney, brothers-in-law Mark (Jill) and Owen, nieces and nephews Molly, Peadar, Sadie, Doireann and Oscar.

Mass was celebrated by Parish Priest Fr James Gillespie, and concelebrated by Frs Willie Peoples, Martin Chambers, Adrian Gavigan, Danny McBrearty, all former priests of the parish, as well as Fr Seán O'Gallchóir, Fr Brian O’Fearraigh, Fr Martin Doohan, Fr John Joe Duffy, and Fr Rory Brady.

A number of items on the altar represented Shane’s great loves. They included family photos, his rugby shirt and a football. 

Shane’s brother Patrick delivered a beautiful eulogy at the start of Mass.

“I could be here a week and I wouldn’t do justice to this man, this beautiful man,” he told mourners.

“As my mum said to us just yesterday we were always very clear, we understood how special he was, but it's just been amazing to learn that he was so special to so many people in so many places both on this side of the Gap and the other.

“To all of you from Donegal Town, Mountcharles that have supported us, and across the Gap - the people of Termon are very forgiving! In 2003 Shane [with Four Masters] beat them in a county final but the outpouring of support and love and help over the last few days has just blown us away. We will never be able to thank you for all you have done for us, and all you do for Donna and Katie and Amy. It’s amazing, and we are so grateful.”

Patrick said that the previous day, his parents had attended a Mass at PCC Falcarragh where Shane had been a teacher.

“They came home two foot taller,” he said. “The love and support where Shane taught, with all the students and all the teachers and all the community, to see the impact he had beyond our family, it has been a real source of solace and uplift in a really dark time.”

Patrick spoke of how Shane gave the best and tightest hugs. 

“But the tightest hugs of all that he ever gave was to Donna, to Katie and Amy,” he said.

“He met Donna at 16; they were together ever since. And the happiness she gave him, it gave him a fulfilment and a contentment. 

“He was the happiest guy you met, and that guy that you met in the street, who smiled and waved, that gave you a nod and a wink, it all went back to her. “She gave him everything, she was the greatest gift he ever had, and him to her I think too.

“And to his two beautiful daughters, Katie and Amy, he was so proud of you, he loved you so much, nobody got tighter hugs than you two. And nothing, not even why we are here today, can end the love that he has for Donna, for Katie and Amy. 

“It’ll be with you forever, it’ll surround you forever. It will always be with you, and so will we.” 

These sentiments were echoed by Fr Gillespie.

“Shane lived with us here in this world for just 39 years and in that time he has left his mark,” said the celebrant.

“He grew up here in Donegal Town, was born here, baptised in St Patrick’s Church in July 1985, confirmed here in this church in 1997. 

“He went to primary and secondary school here, took part in the community here, played with different teams, Four Masters, soccer, and rugby in particular. 

“After college he went to work in Pobalscoil Chloich Cheannfhaola, Falcarragh, where he taught for the past 17 or 18 years. 

“He married a woman of this parish here, Donna, in this church. Together they have two daughters, and set up home in Kilmacrennan. 

“I’m told he was a man who got to know everyone, a man who would light up a room with his presence. He enjoyed being with people, enjoyed the craic. 

“He was a good friend, kind and considerate, a nice fella, a sound man. These are words that people have used to describe him to me over the past few days; respected and respectable.

“There is much to be thankful for in all that, to be grateful for and to celebrate of his life, because he has left many blessings to remember him by, particularly his two daughters Katie and Amy, the stars I am sure of his life, Daddy’s girls. As Patrick said earlier, the love that he gave to you will live with you always. It will never go away.

“There is much to remember him and hold him dear by for all of us, for years to come. Because Shane was important to life, to all who knew him, cared for him, loved him.”

Following Mass, Shane was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

Among the clubs who were represented and who formed Guards of Honour were Donegal Rugby Club, Four Masters GAA Club and Termon GAA Club, with students from PCC Falcarragh also honouring their beloved teacher.