The town of Bundoran and the county of Donegal is bidding farewell to one of their staunchest advocates this lunchtime, the late Cllr Sean McEniff.
More than 1, 000 people are in attendance at his funeral Mass at the Star of the Sea Church being concelebrated by 10 priests led by Canon Ramon Munster, parish priest of Bundoran.
Also present is the retired bishop of Cloghet, Liam McDaid, a native of Bundoran and friend of the late Cllr McEniff.
Harry Keaney reports from Bundoran
People began arriving at The Star of The Sea Church in Bundoran an hour before the funeral Mass for the late Cllr Sean McEniff began. An half hour later the church was filled.
Among those awaiting the arrival of Cllr McEniff’s remains from his home were representatives of an array of groups…Fianna Fail members with tricolour armbands led by their leader Micheal Martin, the Realt na Mara Bundoran GAA Club, Magh Ene College, Donegal County Council members, Water World, Donegal Bay Water Bus, tourism groups, hoteliers and others.
There were people from across the entire political landscape ad well as some from the showbiz world like Robert Mizzel and Jimmy Buckley who were among the thousands who visited the family home in Bundoran over the weekend.
Chief mourners were Cllr McEniff’s widow Eilis and family John, Terry, Gabriel, Brian G, Conor, Fergal, Siobhan and Elizabeth as well as 21 grandchildren, his sister Mary, and brothers Liam, Brian and Pat.
Canon Munster said Sean McEniff lived a very full life.
Gifts brought to the altar included a family photo, Donegal GAA and Glasgow Celtic scarves, a symbol of his his work for Bundoran and his Rosary and prayer book.
Canon Munster told those present how Sean McEniff once told him he wanted his funeral to be a family and religious occasion.
Today, his corner seat in the Star of the Sea Church is vacant, a photo of him there instead.
After Mass his funeral takes place to St Ninnidh’s Cemetery.
