Business came to a standstill in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, yesterday when the funerals took place of the young couple who were killed when their car was in collision with a lorry on Friday.
More than 2,000 people filled St Joseph's church and grounds for the Requiem Mass for fireman Anthony Holland (21), Kennellyduff, and his girlfriend, Siobhán McConnon (17), a fifth-year student at St Louis secondary school, who lived at nearby Lisanisk.
The young couple were setting out for a holiday in Killarney marking their first anniversary together.
Mourners endured rainy conditions to wait outside the church as the separate hearses arrived.They brought the couple from their family homes which are in the same neighbourhood.
The line of cars linked up at a road junction and the cortege then wound its way slowly through the streets.
Relays of firefighters from the Co Monaghan Fire Service provided a guard of honour and assisted as pall bearers.
The firefighters were joined by grieving student friends of Siobhán, who also provided a guard of honour as the two coffins were borne into the packed church.
The remains were received by curate Father Michael Jordan, Carrickmacross, who was assisted by Father Pádraig O'Reilly, parish priest at Killanny, and Father Francis Hughes, a cousin of the Holland family.
Anthony's fireman's helmet, along with photographs and a birthday card from Siobhán, were presented as gifts during the Offertory.
Father Jordan recalled how the news of the tragedy had shocked the town at the weekend.
"Siobhán was a very kind person and a great friend, someone who enjoyed life. Her classmates will have many happy memories of her and her worthwhile contribution to their lives."
Anthony was a friendly face familiar to customers at Cassidy's filling station on the Dundalk Road outside Carrickmacross. As a reserve fireman he was also full of enthusiasm for what was a very challenging job, he said.
Father Jordan recalled one of Anthony's first experiences as a young fireman, dealing with a road traffic accident on the Dublin/Derry Road in which there were three fatalities.
"The memory which he had left with his colleagues in the fire service will live with them for a long time to come.".
A pick-up truck laden with wreaths and floral tributes preceded the two hearses to St Joseph's cemetery.
There was a momentary silent 'halt' as the cortege reached the petrol station where Anthony had worked for five years.
Tom and Bernie Holland and Anthony's young brother, Connor, were comforted by other family friends and mourners.
They shared their grief with Siobhán's parents, Malachy and Catherine McConnon, her brother Christopher and her sister Catherine.