Reagan’s ‘native home’ bids poignant and prayer-filled farewell to its most famous son

THE people of Ballyporeen prayed for former US President Ronald Reagan last night in the parish church where he and his wife Nancy bowed their heads in homage 20 years ago.

His visit to the Church of the Assumption, which stands on the site of an old thatched building where his great-grandfather, Michael, was baptised 174 years ago, brought tears to his eyes.

But while there was sadness at the passing of the 40th president of the US, his long life was also celebrated by the South Tipperary parish that he referred to as home.