A mother and daughter who died in a road crash in Co Mayo last week “meant everything to each other”, their funeral was told on Saturday.
Aisling Moore (46) and Abbigael Tournié Moore (8), from Swinford, Co Mayo, were fatally injured in a collision involving a lorry and a car on Tuesday evening on the N26 at Lismoran near Foxford.
Abbigael’s father, Arnaud Tournié, recalled Aisling’s warm heart and the bright and sunny days he spent with her and their daughter on Enniscrone beach. He said he was endlessly proud of his daughter and loved her so much, describing her as his “little sweet light”, saying she was now among the stars “glowing and sparkling wherever you are”.
He said Abbigael was talented “thanks to her mother” with whom she shared an unbreakable bond.
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“Your smiles are forever etched in my heart,” he said.
Aisling’s brother, Stephen Moore, told mourners that their kindness, generosity and love was a great boon to Arnaud and Aisling’s family at a time of immense pain and suffering. That compassion, he added, “is a reminder that while the world around us may change the goodness and purity of community is still very much evident and alive in Mayo.”
Mr Moore described his sister and niece as “as two beautiful, kindred souls”.
“Anyone who knows them knows that where there was one there was the other,” he said. “They were a mother and daughter but also the best of friends. They were confidantes, conciliaries, a comedy duo who meant everything to each other.
“What has happened here is an absolute tragedy but I take some comfort that as they were so very much in life so shall they be together forever in eternity.”
Mr Moore said everyone could see “so much of Aisling in Abbie, her charisma, her warmth, her confidence, her athleticism, her passion for drama, for acting in comedy, her enthusiasm, her love of dance, song and poetry”.
Several guards of honour were formed as Ms Moore and Abbigael were brought to Kilconduff Cemetery following the Mass. Among the groups who lined the route were members of Swinford Athletic Club, staff and pupils at St Aidan’s National School, Kiltimagh, where Abbigael was a pupil, members of Kiltimagh GAA Club and friends from EMC Dance Club and their parents.
Fr Dermot Meehan was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. He was assisted by Fr Padraig Costello, who administered the last rites to the mother and daughter following Tuesday’s crash.
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