'She was a bright, bubbly, forever beautiful young girl': Heartbreaking scenes as mourners pay final respects to young Longford woman

Twenty-year-old Ciara McKenna passed away at her home in Longford town on Sunday, prompting a deluge of tributes both online and from across the wider local community.

Hundreds of mourners who lined the pews of St Mel’s Cathedral today to pay their final respects to the young Longford woman were told of how the former Scoil Mhuire student “brought so much joy to so many people”.

A single framed photograph of the fun-loving fashionista sat perched on top of a coffin adorned in sunflowers in front of the altar in illustration of Ciara’s vivacious and effervescent personality.

Chief celebrant Fr Michael McGrath said both he and the local community were still at a loss as to the sudden passing of a young woman whose charisma and all-round aura endeared her to so many.

“None of us really want to be here,” he said. 

“This is the last thing that was on our minds before last Sunday when Ciara was tragically taken from us. 

“It’s just a dreadful, dreadful day. In such a short life, Ciara brought so much joy to so many people.”

Those emotions were illustrated moments later when a string of symbols in recognition of the young Longford woman’s life were offered up by a number of close friends.

Among them included a photograph of Ciara’s family and friends, a make-up bag in reference to her love of style and fashion, a vape, her mobile phone and work apron from local restaurant Take Two where she worked.

But it was arguably the moving sentiments espoused by long term family friend Adell Dunleavy which struck the most emotional chord with members of the congregation.

She told of the deep-seated bond Ciara had with her immediate family and the unerring ability she had to leave a lasting impression on all who crossed her path.

“Ciara was like a candle to us, she shone so bright, her face lit up with it, her laughter was infectious, her smile and her white gleaming smile was enough even to thaw even the hardest of hearts,” she said.

“She had such a unique talent of making everyone feel special in very unassuming ways. 

“She was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure. 

“This young person was so unassuming she didn’t really believe the compliments she was given. She didn’t seem to know how beautiful she was on the inside that it shone so bright on the outside which made her even more endearing.”

In a powerful eulogy that drew a resounding applause from those listening on inside the cathedral, Adell said the devastating loss of Ciara was perhaps best summed up by the umpteen tributes that had flooded social media in recent days, one of which read: “We loved you for your lifetime and we will miss you for our lifetime.”

Outside, a large group of mourners gathered to walk behind the funeral cortege as it made its way through the county town, pausing for a brief interlude outside her place of work before being laid to rest inside the grounds of Ballymacormack Cemetery.

The late Ciara McKenna is survived by her parents Fiona and Seamus, sister Anna, brothers Andrew and Mark, aunts and uncles, her darling niece Caitlin, cousins neighbours and her many good friends.