'Let's celebrate her' - Ruth Staunton's life cherished by husband Jeremy in moving eulogy

Ruth, mother of four children, was well known in Limerick as a respected solicitor. Jeremy, also from Limerick, is a former Munster and Ireland out-half.

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026 - 10:12

Cian Locke

Jeremy Staunton has described his late wife Ruth, who died suddenly last week, as a positive, life-loving woman who was smiling in every single picture he had of her.

Ruth, mother of four children, was well known in Limerick as a respected solicitor. Jeremy, also from Limerick, is a former Munster and Ireland out-half.

In a moving funeral Mass eulogy, reported by the Limerick Leader, Jeremy urged the huge funeral attendance to celebrate Ruth's life and share stories about her and the positivity she brought to people's lives. “If you look at her on the front of the Mass booklet, she's beautiful, that glint in the eye, the smile, everything about her. That's what I was lucky to have and to witness my entire life that we had together.

“Everyone here and everyone last night had a story about Ruth. They are of love and laughter, fun and the happy times that people had with her.

"Let's celebrate her, share stories about her and laugh - that's all she wanted. So let's make that promise to her today.”

Jeremy recalled how the couple met after a Munster victory in the Heineken Cup.

“It was the start of the whole Munster odyssey. It was January 8, 2000 against Saracens. It was the classic European Cup game in Thomond Park, 5pm, darkness and rain. The posh English lads were coming to town.

“It came down to the dying moments. Woody got a last-minute try. The girls were studying for exams apparently. They said, if ROG (Ronan O’Gara) gets the kick, let's go out. As usual, Rog nailed it and we never looked back. It was an amazing journey we were both on.”

Jeremy thanked the Mass congregration for the outpouring of support in the days since Ruth's death.

“It’s blown me away. It’s blown the kids away. It's been incredible - I didn't believe humans could be like this."

Minister of State Niall Collins had described how Limerick was reeling after Ruth's tragic death.

“I know friends, colleagues and neighbours will come together to support the Staunton and Tiernan families in any way they can in the dark days, weeks and months ahead. May she rest in peace.”