Life of Danny O'Brien celebrated during funeral mass in Graignamanagh, County Kilkenny

Mourners from near and far gathered at Duiske Abbey in Graignamanagh earlier today for the funeral mass of Danny O'Brien.

A single bell tolled across the town as mourners gathered, many wearing bright clothing to celebrate the colourful life that was lived by Danny.

The opening speech, made on behalf of the family, noted that Danny's life was 'a life very well lived'.

It was mentioned that through his exploits and adventures over the years, Danny had amassed friends from all over the world.

Members of the Air Corps, where Danny had served, were also in attendance, as well as members of other groups that he had been involved with over the years.

Mourners were told that Danny himself would be embarrassed by his achievements being celebrated, as he never sought recognition.

He was described as kind, thoughtful, considerate with a definite 'sense of divilment'.

Some of the gifts brought up to celebrate Danny's life included a passport; representing his love for travel, a throw-rope; representing his commitment to safety, a rubber duck; signifying his love for water, and a dog lead; as he was an animal-lover who loved walking his dog down by the river.

Danny's family gave thanks to the emergency services in Bergen in Norway, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, and everyone who had come to their support in recent days.

Fr Mark Townsend, who led the funeral mass, stated that Danny 'will enter the history book of a select few whose lives were so remarkable and will go down in history here, in this special place and in this parish'. 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis.