Large crowds descended on East Clare today to pay their respects to the late literary great, Edna O’Brien.
The Tuamgraney native was remembered as a wordsmith, extraordinary woman and fabulous mother at her funeral mass this afternoon.
The voice of Edna O’Brien speaking in 2015 where she outlined her fearless approach to her 1963 debut novel “Country Girls” which would epitomise her legendary career to come.
The book was initially censored in Ireland and denounced by the Church for highlighting taboo social issues.
Throughout the course of her over 60-year vocation, O’Brien penned over 30 texts and was described during her funeral mass as someone who gave courage and spoke for those who were rendered dumb.
Chief Celebrant Fr Donagh O’Meara said she was a wordsmith and a truth teller who paid the price for her bravery.
St.Joseph’s Church in Tuamgraney was packed to capacity for the service, with many more paying their respects watching from screens outside.
Those in attendance included President Michael D.Higgins and First Lady Sabina, while Commandant Colonel Claire Mortimer represented the office of Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
Irish Actor Stephen Rea was among those who delivered a reading during the ceremony,
A number of gifts were also brought to the altar to celebrate Edna’s life, they included copy of Ulysses by James Joyce, a portrait of Samuel Beckett and flowers from her childhood home at Drewsboro House, which she was said to have described as “her home of homes”.
The French Legion of Honour was also brought up to recognise a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, as well as the budha to recognise her spiritual exploration.
The eulogy was read out by Novelist Andrew O’Hagan who paid tribute to Edna for wonderfully sharing her world with others.
In Accordance with her wishes, Edna O’Brien was laid to rest at the ancient monastic settlement of Holy Island on Lough Derg.
Speaking during the mass, her son Marcus Gelber said that although she will rightly be remembered for her literary works, she was a fabulous mother who showered her family with love.
You can listen to the full report here:
