Daniel’s sister a ‘force of nature’
Heartbroken singer & family hold funeral of Kathleen, 67,
DANIEL O’donnell’s sister was remembered at her funeral Mass yesterday as a “force of nature” who always spoke her mind.
Hundreds of mourners attended the service for Kathleen “Bosco” Doogan, 67, who passed away suddenly at her home in Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, on Friday morning.
The singer accompanied his siblings Margo, John Bosco and James as they carried Kathleen’s remains into St Mary’s Church yesterday.
Margo clutched a framed picture of her late sister.
Also in the funeral cortege was Mrs Doogan’s husband John, sons John Francis and Daniel, daughters Tricia and Fiona and her grandchildren.
Familiar faces included celebrity architect Dermot Bannon, television chef Brian Mcdermott and Donegal’s 1992 All-ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy.
Thousands watched online and sent messages of condolences to the Doogan and O’donnell families.
Mrs Doogan’s son John Francis set a jovial tone despite his mother’s sudden passing.
He said: “In the upcoming Oscars the Irish film, The Banshees of Inisherin is up for numerous awards. It’s the tale of two friends who suddenly fall out over nothing in particular.
HILLS
“Martin Mcdonagh the director must have spent time on the hills over Kincasslagh because we have had this story with mum over many years just falling out with someone over anything. And then she would just casually make up as if nothing at all had happened.
“I guess it was some form of acceptance of you if mum had had some form of row with you but it was awful hard for all of us to keep up with who was the good guys and who was the bad guys.”
However, John said his late mum meant a huge amount to a lot of people.
He added: “She was a sister to Bosco, Margaret, James and Daniel, a mum to ourselves and a wife to dad.
“She was a granny, an aunt, a cousin and she loved to interact with all those people.
“She was a neighbour who was always there for someone if they needed her.
“The crowds at the house and the visible shock and upset that her passing has caused the whole community and further afield was very humbling as a family to see.
“Some of you made massive journeys just to be here today for mum and the love shown to her means a great deal to us all.”
Many in the congregation wiped away tears as some of Kathleen’s grandchildren recited a poem they
had especially written for their granny.
Daniel sang a number of hymns in Irish and English including Lady of Knock and his own song Beyond The Rainbow’s End during which the star got emotional as his voice wavered.
Among the many sections of the community represented was the Mullachdubh Band of which Kathleen was a huge supporter.
Fr Pat Ward described Mrs Doogan as a “force of nature” who always spoke her mind.
He said: “If I started waxing lyrical about Kathleen then many people would think they were at the wrong funeral. One of the things Kathleen has is that whatever she thought she said and that’s one of the gifts she had with her family.”
He recalled her years running The Viking House Hotel and how she treated all people equally.
Fr Ward added: “When she became the landlady and the proprietor we all got to know her and her larger than life personality came to the fore.
“Her ability to say directly what she was thinking to anybody and it didn’t matter who they were. The one thing about Kathleen was that she was into equality and everybody got the same treatment.
“We remember her for that and we remember her for being one of those characters.
“Kathleen was one of those characters who was larger than life. She was one of those who you would not forget.
“At times you may have loved her and at
times you may not have loved her but you would never forget her.
“She was a force of nature who became one of the big personalities in and around our parish.
“I’m not sure if she really fell out with people but she would ebb and flow at times. Sometimes she would be close to you and sometimes she would not be that close to you.
“I’m sure all of you will be assured that between the ebbs and flows with Kathleen the tide would come in again.”
Amongst those who concelebrated the Mass were Fr Brian D’arcy and Creeslough priest Fr John Joe Duffy, a friend of Mrs Doogan.
Mrs Doogan was laid to rest at the nearby Belcruit Cemetery.
Kathleen was one of those characters who was larger than life
FR PAT WARD AT MRS DOOGAN’S FUNERAL MASS IN DONEGAL YESTERDAY