The funeral mass of Leon Brennan has heard how he shared a unique bond with his family throughout his life not just musically but also emotionally.
Mr Brennan, Clannad’s tour manager for more than 35 years, passed away at his Dublin home on Friday.
He was buried earlier today following a beautiful music-filled funeral mass at St Mary’s Chapel in Derrybeg.
Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh remembered Leon as a man who had a huge heart filled with kindness and who always put other people first, an tAthair Brian Ó Fearraigh said this afternoon.
Family was everything to Leon and it was fitting that he was surrounded by those very same family when he passed.
His funeral mass heard of his great loves including sport as well as his family.
These were symbolised by the offertory gifts including a Gweedore celtic jersey, a Donegal jersey, a laminate to reflect his organisational skills in his work with Clannad and of course, a wedding picture of himself and wife Anne who married in March 2,000.
The congregation were left amused to hear of how Leon had lost his wedding band while on Gola Island in August.
However, on discovering where the ring had been purchased, his sister Enya, had recently replaced it.
Music was provided by Daniel O’Donnell who sang ‘You Raise Me Up’ while Maireád Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan accompanied on fiddle.
Clannad and Cormac de Barra also played during the mass which was watched by thousands of people online.
Fr O Fearraigh said it is possible to fall into the pit of hopelessness and despair especially at Christmas.
However, he said Leon would not want people to feel sad and to remember that Leon has gone to the other side.
“We are a people of hope. Leon was a man of faith and his faith was incredible,” he said.
Mr Brennan is survived by his wife Ann, son Leon, daughter Anna, his mother “Baba” Máire Ní Bhraonáin, his sisters Máire, Deirdre, Eithne, Olive and Brídín, his brothers Ciarán, Pól and Bartley, his mother-in-law Nell Fitzgerald and extended family and friends.
He was laid to rest in his native home of Gaoth Dobhair in the nearby graveyard of Machaire Gathlán.
