'We know that you are safe now,' funeral of 'beautiful' Clare boy Shay Lynch hears

'Thank you for loving me, your Mommy, and big sister and friend, Abi,' Shay Lynch's father told the seven-year-old's funeral. Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

The funeral of Co Clare schoolboy Shay Lynch has been told the seven-year-old was "a gentle, caring, sweet boy who wouldn’t harm a fly".

The first-class pupil at Scoil Seanáin Naofa, Clonlara, died following a tragic accident at a Co Clare hotel pool on Saturday while attending a party.

James Lynch told mourners at St Senan’s Church in Clonlara that his "amazing" son was loved from his first breath.

Addressing Shay, James said he "will always be forever our beautiful boy, Shay-Shay".

“Thank you for all the lovely pictures and lovely notes that you have left on our pillows as surprises for us. 

"We will cherish every one of them”.

“Thank you for loving me, your Mommy, and big sister and friend, Abi. 

"Your favourite teddy Dougie is in safe hands now with Abi.” 

James, a builder, said: "I will miss you coming to work with me and how you loved putting on your little works-pants and pencil over your ear."

Shay always said he would like to be a builder and he "would have been a great one". the funeral was told.

Shay Lynch.

“We know that you are safe now and at peace with your Nana Christina… We will forever miss you. We will forever love you. 

"You will always be, forever, our beautiful boy Shay-Shay," James added.

Earlier, James had helped carry his son’s white coffin to the top of the church and briefly kissed the photo of his son in his Clonlara colours as he comforted daughter Abi.

Fr Pat Mulcahy said the evening Shay died, "a dark cloud had descended on our parish community".

He said: “Our young, vibrant Shay had left us. The storm clouds of panic and disbelief had truly invaded our hearts and souls."

A seven-year-old full of the fullness of life — out for a day of enjoyment — he never came home.

Two weeks ago, Shay planted two shrubs at the grave of his Nana Christina at Bridgetown cemetery. 

Shay was so happy he had done so "and little did we or he know that he would be laid to rest where he planted that shrub beside his Nana where he will remain forever young”, Fr Mulcahy said.

In a reference to the grief that has enveloped the community since the weekend, Fr Mulcahy paid tribute to the work of the local school and support systems “that came to the rescue”.

“When we have an unexpected tragedy in our midst we can sometimes blame ourselves."

He said: "If our hearts are troubled because of events out of our control, we should seek help, talk to a friend or a counsellor — there is help available so we pray for healing of memories and peace of mind.” 

Offertory gifts included toys and a Clonlara GAA club, where Shay had been "so proud to be part of the best hurling club in Clare”.

Tools were also included as “a symbol of all the great times that Shay had working" with his father.

Shay was later laid to rest in St Thomas's Church grounds, Bridgetown.