‘Séan was smiling down on us’
TRIBUTE Community walk marks teen's anniversary
Hundreds of people from around the world joined a virtual walk at the weekend in tribute to the memory of Lavey teen Séan Reilly, who sadly passed away 12 months ago.
“We had walkers from Germany to England, there was a few in America, and of course there was quite a few closer to home as well. We had walkers in Mayo, Killarney, Dublin, and plenty local too. I think over the whole day we maybe had upwards of 200 take part,” says chair of Lavey Seniors, Damien Tynan.
It was Séan's loving parents, Leo and Edel, older sister Aoibhe and younger brothers Darragh and Jack, who first approached the club with a view to hosting the socially distanced event, explained Mr Tynan.
They were assisted in organising last Sunday's event by the local clubs’ juvenile chair Declan Smith.Seán (13), a first year student at St Patrick's College, died peacefully after a brave battle with illness at his family home at Fintavin on March 7.Hisremains were laid to rest at the adjoining cemetery following funeral mass at St Dymphna’s Church, Upper Lavey.
Various groups including members of Seán's school class at St Patrick's College attended the funeral mass, as well as joining to form the a guard of honour as the young man's coffin was being carried.
Walkers taking part at the New Inn's GAA ground lsat weekend were provided with specific timeslot.
Each also stood proudly beside a small memorial erect to honour Séan - a photograph of the young man and a Lavey GAA jersey, which he wore with pride as an underage player.
“It was a wonderful community event, brilliantly organised, which meant when one group had finished walking another was already there, ready to take the next timeslot. It all ran very smoothly, and the weather was good for it. I'd say Sean was smiling down on us for that,” adds Damien, who also noted the importance of a community as outwardly spread as Lavey coming together to support their own.
“Séan was a lovely child, and the Reillys are a great family, very respected within our club. As a community we do what we can, and when one of us suffers the loss of a child like that, it's felt by everyone involved. Everybody comes together.
”