The heartache was palpable and the stunned silence all-consuming as three members of one family who drowned in Sunday's boating tragedy near Fethard-on-Sea, Co Wexford, were laid to rest yesterday.
Scenes of inconsolable grief were witnessed at New Ross Parish Church and in country graveyards in nearby Terrerath and Cushinstown as respected undertaker Mr Jim Cooney (60), his son-in-law Mr Seamus "Seamie" Doyle (33) and grandson Mark Doyle (13) were buried.
The haunting sound of a violin duet echoed throughout the century-old Church of St Mary's and St Michael's as the three coffins were carried shoulder-high to waiting hearses to the strains of Nearer My God to Thee.
Pausing momentarily outside the Robert Street home of Mr Cooney, the three hearses travelled in sorrowful convoy on their final journey, first to Terrerath cemetery and then to nearby Cushinstown.
Ever proud of his Terrerath ancestry, Mr Cooney was laid to rest in the family plot as thousands gathered in mournful tribute to a man who had touched so many lives in ways too numerous to measure.
His widow, Frances, was cradled by her family while his devastated daughter, Rita, was wrapped in support by loved ones and friends.
Just over half-an-hour later, the families gathered at Cushinstown cemetery for the burial of father and son, Seamie and Mark Doyle. Both horse lovers, the lowering of their coffins was accompanied by the sounding of a hunting bugle.
School and sporting friends of Mark stood in silent tribute while guards of honour were also formed by the Carrigbyrne Pike Group, the horse-mounted members of the Wexford Hounds and Seamie's work colleagues from Quinn Roofing.
Similar scenes of heartbreaking emotion were witnessed in a church on the opposite side of the River Barrow just hours later when Mr John Cullen (44), who also lost his life in Sunday's tragedy, was laid to rest.
A gentle mist fell amid the echoing of a solitary hunt horn as hunting colleagues of the Rosbercon man stood in a final and silent tribute. Reputed for having "some way with horses", John had headed the hunt in his capacity as "whipper-in" of the Wexford Hounds.
Tears streamed from the eyes of the mourners, estimated at about 1,000, who gathered at the Church of the Assumption, Rosbercon, New Ross, overlooking the river Barrow about a mile from Mr Cullen's home in the townland of Garranbehy.
For those gathered at the 2 p.m. Requiem Mass, the sense of sorrow was heartbreaking for Mr Cullen's wife, Margaret, who lost a number of relatives in a car accident some years ago. Also overcome were his son, Paul (17), and daughter, Sarah (16).
The sadness was palpable as the traditional air, An Culainn, resounded through the church as mourners wept for a man described as an exceptional husband, father, friend and horseman, whose esteem was reflected by the large turnout from the county's equestrian community.
In the words of chief celebrant, Father Michael Norton, John Cullen was a man who never ceased to help others. His talents as a horse trainer were legendary and were matched by that of his only son, Paul, who was with his father when the Pisces tragically foundered sometime after 11.40 a.m. on Sunday.
The heartbreak at the loss of such a vibrant and talented man, he said, was compounded by the fact that he lost his life while partaking in one of his favourite yet infrequent hobbies - fishing.
"Many of us, who live with our hobbies, sometimes die with them. John's only adventure into the sea, like many of those who lost their lives, was only once a year," Father Norton said.
Sympathising with all the families bereaved by Sunday's tragedy, Father Norton spoke of how the entire community had been numbed with shock and sadness.
The tragedy had robbed five parishes of much-loved members, but more lives could have been lost.
"Last Sunday afternoon the facts started to unfold and by evening it had left this town numbed into silence and grief. The irony is what turned out to be so bad could have been so much worse. Five lives were saved, others could have been lost," he said.
During the Offertory procession, gifts of a riding hat and whip were relayed to the altar by Mr Cullen's son Paul, among others. Final prayers were recited by the Bishop of Ossory, Dr Laurence Forristal, who said the tragedy had "been felt in the south-east and the entire country".
The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented at the funeral Masses by her aide-de-camp, Comdt Dermot O'Connor, while the Taoiseach's representative, Capt Gerry O'Grady, was also in attendance.