'Bronagh lived in the now,' tributes paid to teen who died in fatal crash
Bronagh English
The gifts presented at the funeral of Bronagh English, who tragically lost her life after a car crash in Co Tipperary, illustrated the life of a young woman bright, beautiful and full of joy.
Photos of family and friends, ski goggles, a fishing rod, dancing shoes and her school jumper preceded stories and tributes befitting what Fr Peter Ahearne would call a “gift from God.”
Bronagh was much-loved, adventurous and lots of fun.
That was clear to everyone present.
At her funeral mass in St John the Baptist Church in Powerstown, Clonmel, those gathered were told that she was voted “smiliest person,” had last year, competed in a local Strictly Come Dancing contest and had already bought her Debs dress.
Bronagh’s father Michael said that he and his wife had always known their daughter was something special.
“She was the only child or person I have ever met who asked for nothing but had everything and it was an amazing way to be.
“She lived in the now, and she lived in the present. She was fun right now. When you spoke together she communicated back to you she wasn’t flicking on her phone or whatever. She was with you. She was in the moment,” said Michael.
Michael recounted a recent story of their family trip to the Amazon where Bronagh caught 13 piranha fish with rods nobody thought fit for purpose.
Her brother Mickey who referenced the feat earlier when describing the gifts said: “We are not sure if it was her calmness or if she had a special bait but she was famous among locals for the rest of the holiday.”
Among the so many wonderful things said about Bronagh, was that she was a strong presence in her community.
A fact which was reflected in the attendance at her funeral.
Fr Ahearne welcomed all those who came or tuned in to the livestream.
In particular, he recognised Bronagh’s granduncle Fr Michael English.
Her grandfather Dr Donie Ormonde is a former Waterford Fianna Fail TD and in attendance was the Aide-de-camp for Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Bronagh was involved in sports and loved music and her friends.
In her reflection, Bronagh’s sister Mia said that she was funny, with a great imagination and a “wonderful laugh which you could hear from a mile.”
She was also, a devout member of the church where her funeral mass was celebrated.
Fr Ahearne said that she had regularly celebrated mass and as a child, she attended the Sunday school, run in part by her mother Danielle.
“One of the lovely sentences her dad said to me the other night, he said ‘she was good at coming to mass’ So in that sense this church was her spiritual home,” said Fr Ahearne.
Bronagh’s sister Mia read aloud a beautiful reflection which was met with applause, and said: “We will always remember you Bronagh your gorgeous pretty smile. We’ll always carry you with us day by day mile by mile.
“So goodbye our beautiful Bronagh. You will never know how much we will miss you. Rest in peace up there in heaven, my best friend and beautiful sister.”
The 18-year-old Rockwell College leaving cert student from Clonmel passed away on April 25 when her car left the road and entered the water at Kilmoyler, Cahir in Tipperary.
She is missed by her parents Michael and Danielle, her siblings Mia, Mickey and David, her grandparents Greta and Donie Ormonde and Carmel, as well as her nieces, nephews, 21 cousins and friends.
Fr Ahearne said at her funeral mass that loved ones are never really gone.
“One of the things we have to remember when our loved ones die they are taken from our sight but not from our hearts. Bronagh will live on in the minds and hearts of her family always.
"And one of the things we have to remember when our loved ones dies, love doesn’t die. They will continue to love her and she will continue to love them from the other side,” said Fr Ahearne.
