Drowning victim loved swimming, mourners told

MOURNERS at the funeral Mass of a 35-year-old woman who drowned in a holiday tragedy in west Clare were yesterday told of her love for the beach and swimming.

Limerick woman Julie Bourke had been enjoying time with her family in Lahinch when the bank holiday tragedy occurred.

Large crowds gathered at St Munchin’s Church in Limerick yesterday where Eileen Bourke recalled her niece’s great love for life and the water.

A number of items, including a pair of sunglasses, sandals and a sun hat, were placed on the altar before the Mass began, symbolising “just how much Julie loved swimming and the beach,” Ms Bourke explained.

Known affectionately to her family and friends as ‘Baby Julie’, she was originally from Kileely in Limerick city but had been living in Moyross with her fiance Noel Gallagher.

“I know all her friends are going to miss her so much and her mother and her father and her family, but Kileely and Moyross, I’m afraid, will never be the same without her,” Eileen Bourke told mourners.

In his homily, Fr Pat Seaver paid tribute to a “dynamic” young woman.

“Baby Julie was feisty and fierce and fun. She lived life to the full. She didn’t just exist. She loved life and a lot of the time she lived it in a carefree manner,” Fr Seaver said.

Eileen Bourke paid tribute to the woman who was like a sister to her.

“Julie look down on your Mam and Dad and wrap them and keep them safe. So if you are an angel up there, you make sure you wrap your wings around your family and keep them safe,” she said.

Julie’s niece Laura, who spent three weeks with her aunt before she died, read a poem she had written herself. A poem entitled Four Sisters was also read by Julie’s sister Christine.

Earlier this week, Ms Bourke’s fiance, Noel Gallagher, described her as a good swimmer and recalled how her uncle, Derek Bourke, who was in the water at the time tried desperately to save his niece.

Ms Bourke was rescued by crew members from the naval vessel the LE Aisling which was in the area at the time. She was airlifted to University Hospital Galway where she was pronounced dead on Monday evening.

She was laid to rest yesterday at Mount St Oliver cemetery.