My Brother's Funeral eulogy

Frank O'Mahony (12/12/1968 - 16/6/2012)

My brother Frank's funeral mass was at CHRIST THE KING church in Turner's Cross, Cork at 11am, yesterday, 21/6/2012.

I was asked to give a eulogy at the end of the mass.  This is what I said to the congregation:


"My brother Frank, our 3 sisters and I first lived just a short walk from this church so it's fitting we are here today to say 'Good bye' to Frank.

I should be visiting Frank in Carrig Mor* right now instead of being at his funeral.  My Mum; sister, Catherine and I took turns to visit Frank twice a week for years.  We would help him with the Daily Mail back-page crossword and other puzzles. We wished him luck as he scratched the scratch cards we brought him every time we visited him.  (He did have a winning streak from time to time.)

He liked playing the tin whistle and regularly asked us to bring him sheet music for old and popular songs for him to play for his own enjoyment and entertainment.  He loved music especially U2 and old famous Irish and MOTR songs and we put such songs on his MP3s for him to enjoy (to while away the long hours at Carrig Mor).

He received a weekly fax from his sister Carmel who lives in New Zealand.  She came over to be with us today.  The staff at Carrig Mor regarded him as one of the more  fortunate residents as he had more contact with his family than most.

One of his interests was trying to figure out how things worked by dismantling them;  putting them back together again afterwards was not always one of his greatest talents.  For that reason (and others), he was regarded as a loveable rogue.

As his family, we are happy to know that Frank had (at least) 2 good days before he was taken from us.  The staff at Carrig Mor said he was mixing well and in great form last Friday and much of Saturday.

Finally, as Frank's family, we  would like to say a big 'Thank you' to all the hard-working staff at Carrig Mor for all the care they gave Frank during the last 11 years.

God bless Frank.  We'll miss you more than you'll ever know."




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Afterwards, about 35 people travelled to St Michael's Cemetury, Blackrock, Cork to bury Frank in our dad's grave.  He was  also named Frank O'Mahony.  He died on 28/11/1982.  Frank's body was laid to rest and there was a brief religious ceremony as a light drizzle fell.

A group consisting of Frank's family, relations and friends / former neighbours travelled to our local hotel about 10 miles away.  We enjoyed a lovely carvery meal and mingled with people we had, in some cases, not seen or talked to for many years. 

So, even though it was a very sad day, especially for our Mum and all Frank's siblings, we have good memories to keep us going and I hope we will keep in more regular contact during future months and years.

I hope that the old adage. 'Time is a great healer' will prove true for us.


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* Carrig Mor was Frank's home during the last 11 years of his life.  It is a HSE-operated hospital in the Sunday's Well part of Cork city. It's mainly for long-term patients who need special supervised care and help following developing mental illnesses.  Frank's problems were as a result of the severe epilespy he suffered since he was 17.