‘Proud and privileged to call her one of our own’

Huge crowds attend celebration of life of Dolores Keane

“WE were proud and privileged to call her one of our own” were the words of Parish Priest Fr Dixy Faber at the funeral Mass of the late folk singer Dolores Keane in the small church in Kilcoona this afternoon.

Huge crowds attended the celebration of the life of the talented singer who died suddenly aged 72 at her home in Caherlistrane on Monday.

The presence of President of Ireland Catherine Connolly and her husband John, and former President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina was a great honour for her [Dolores] and the family remarked her brother Matt. “It’s a way of conveying your admiration for Dolores, her singing and her music and it is a huge comfort for us and a source of pride for the family and the parish,” added Matt, who spoke on behalf of the Keane family at the service.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin was represented by his Aide de Camp, Commandant Joseph Glennon.

Among the gifts brought to the altar as symbols of the singer’s life and career were the Gradam Cheoil Award presented for her extraordinary contribution to music, her Honorary Doctorate of Music awarded to her by University of Galway and a drawing to represent her deep love of art and her understanding of the power of creativity.

A bunch of flowers symbolised Dolores’ love for the outdoors and for nature while a concertina represented her musical talent and the sharing of her greatest instrument – her voice. A teacup represented the treasured times she spent with her beloved children and grandchildren.

The renowned singer was praised for her charm and humility and for the honesty and dignity with which she spoke about her personal struggles, addiction, her fight with and recovery from cancer and her determination to make things well again.

Some of the music at the service was provided by Finbar Furey, Matt Molloy and The Whileaways.

“The heavenly choir has only got better,” quipped Fr Peter Gannon, a long-time friend of the Keane family.

In an emotional address to those gathered, Matt Keane said Dolores’ story will be told hundreds of times and they are grateful that she will be remembered.

“Everyone knew Dolores in different ways. Her face shone when she was on telly and she had a presence. We were always so proud of her. She will leave a massive gap in our lives,” he concluded.

More in the upcoming edition The Tuam Herald