Crash victim: Michael White, the 15-year-old boy who was killed in the bus crash, was described by neighbours and friends as a very bright, warm and kind student.
He was the only son of Michael and Martina White, who also have a 12-year-old daughter, Ciara.
The family runs White's pub on Main Street, Clara, which opened in 1985. Yesterday the door was locked and the black blinds remained closed on the neat premises.
Michael was a third-year student at Killina Presentation Secondary School.
His principal, Carthagena Minnock, said he was "a very bright, warm, witty, generous student who had lots of friends in the school". He would be sadly missed, she said.
Parish priest Fr Patrick Keary described him as "an extremely quiet and studious type of boy". Fr Keary went to school with Michael snr and said young Michael was "the image of his father".
Neighbour Nora Downes said Michael was "a lovely boy from a very nice family". Some of his cousins were also on the bus and Ms Downes said it was a very difficult day for Michael's grandparents, as they were worrying about several grandchildren. However, Michael's cousins did not sustain serious injury in the crash.
Local broadcaster and community figure Ricey Scully said: "Young Michael was an intelligent teenage boy who was devoted to his studies. We have a big primary schools' football league here in Clara every year, and he played it in when he was in primary school.
"The Whites are extremely well known throughout Co Offaly, and further afield. In fact, Michael's great-great-grandfather, PJ White, represented Clara at the first meeting to found the Gaelic Athletic Association in Hayes's Hotel, Thurles, in 1884."
