‘Our community has lost a friend and a very good neighbour’ –funeral of veteran RTÉ broadcaster Tommie Gorman hears

A throwaway line from one of the hundreds of mourners who packed Our Lady Star of the Sea chapel in Ransboro for the funeral of Tommie Gorman, Sligo’s greatest champion, but one that was entirely fitting.

For, a local hero is something to be and as Father Christopher McCrann said in his poignant homily, Tommie had introduced the “Sacrament of friendship”.

And in a witty and highly humorous eulogy his son Joe said that “Tommie got all the green lights when he married our mother Ceara”.

But today, in the shadow of Knocknarea, the people of Sligo and Ireland gathered to say one last farewell to one of its own.

Tommie belonged to everybody, he was the face in our living rooms all over the land and his passing is like the death of a dear old friend.

There were no frontiers in Tommie’s eclectic world as he walked with all the captains and the kings but never forgot where he was from.

And it was fitting that his beloved Sligo Rovers rose so magnificently to the occasion by beating Shamrock Rovers 2-0.

It was also fitting that he was brought into the Showgrounds for a last farewell to the Bit O’Red at 1.15pm.

A total of 20 seats were reserved for the distinguished mourners who came from all over the land and abroad to say slán to a true man for all seasons.

Representatives from the political, business, legal, sport, arts and media from Sligo and all over Ireland were among the huge crowd who came to pay their respects.

Among the many dignitaries at the funeral were An Taoiseach Simon Harris, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, former First Ministers of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster.

Former Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, ex-SDLP leaders Mark Durkan and Alasdair McDonnell were also present along with RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst.

President Michael D Higgins was represented by his aide de camp Captain Paul O’Donnell.

RTÉ broadcaster Seán O’Rourke was also among the mourners along with many former colleagues.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo Co Council Cllr Declan Bree and his wife Margaret were among many local representatives from all sections of the community who filled the church.

Meanwhile key political and business figures were among the thousands of people who paid their respects at Sean Feehily’s Funeral Home on Friday evening.

They included Tánaiste Micheál Martin, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, former President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin and former Tánaiste and EU Commissioner Ray MacSharry and his son Marc, Sligo/Leitrim Independent TD. Also among the thousands queuing were former European MEP Pat “The Cope” Gallagher and Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan.

Businessman Denis O’Brien flew in from Belgium to pay his respects.

Before the funeral mass began, representatives of Sligo Rovers walked with the coffin in a guard of honour for what was described as their “12th man”.

In a deeply personal and moving eulogy, Chief Celebrant Fr Christopher McCrann, who was a close friend of Tommie’s, extended a special word to his wife Ceara, his daughter Moya and his son Joe as well as his brother Michael and his sister Mary.

“Know that our hearts go out to you,” he said.

Fr McCrann said when he heard the news his “heart sank, and it was shocking”.

“So many people felt that same sadness and it took so long to sink in.

“Tommie loved people and he treated each one with a care and a kindness that was like the Sacrament of friendship.

“Our community has lost a friend and a very good neighbour.

“We all had a mentor whose life witness will continue to bear fruit in our lives, and he has given us all part of his life and left us part of it.”

Fr McCrann added that where you invest your love, you invest your life.

“Tommie invested a big part of his life in our community,” he said.

“Tommie was a journalist and a very good one and again we see a gift.

“He was a very particular and unique force towards mediation and unity and always with a sense of great hope for a better future.

“And this influence will come alive with the passing of time and history will be pleased with the part that Tommie Gorman played.

“And Tommie suffered a lot with illness, but he never allowed it to be his identity.

“His faith he embraced and supported cancer patients all over Ireland and further afield.

“There are many people we know who are very grateful for his personal closeness to them.”

Fr McCrann added that Tommie had great faith and was never afraid to show it.

“He loved Knocknahur and he loved all things Sligo, his home place of Cairns Road and his own Sligo Rovers and Sligo rightly honoured him as a Freeman of the City.

“But Tommie never had sheep,” he quipped.

“Tommie was a great talker but also a quiet and discreet man.

“In the words of Yeats, it is long since we began to call up to the mind this wise and simple man.

“And so, we all say Tommie, may God to whom you entrusted so much of your life, let you both now recognise each other as you meet face to face.

“And as your God embraces you and sees you in your decency, your honour, your diplomacy, your truthfulness, your humility, your kindness and kiss you as only God can kiss a truly beloved son with love and tears of joy in your eyes and be forever at peace.

“And we who remain thank you Tommie Gorman because you have walked with great nobility among us.”

His eulogy was warmly applauded

At the end of the Mass Tommie’s wife Ceara and her sisters sang an emotive beautiful song and his son Joe’s eulogy was greeted with huge applause.

Tommie Gorman is survived by his wife, Ceara, daughter Moya, son Joe, brother Michael and sister Mary.

He was predeceased by his parents Joe and Maureen and by his sister Paula.

After Mass, he was interred in Kilmacowen Cemetery.