Mayo musician died tragically in Spain five days before Christmas

A GO Fund Me page has raised over €14,000 to pay for the repatriation of a Crossboyne native who died tragically in Tenerife just five days before Christmas

Kevin Ryan, talented musician from Crossboyne, Claremorris who resided in Berlin died in Tenerife on December 20 and his Funeral took place in his native Crossboyne on January 8.

His heartbroken friends created a Go Fund Me page on Friday to help his family pay for his repatriation back to Ireland and in just three days had raised €14,852 of its €16,000 target.

Wallis Bird, who was among his friends who helped set up the Go Fund Me page thanked people from 'the bottom of my heart' for the outpouring of support shown to Kevin's family.

The well known singer wrote on the Go Fund Me page that it will remain open until January 21 and all donations are much appreciated by his family.

“Hello all. We wanted to send a heartfelt message to everyone who was lucky enough to know Kevin, and to be a part of the beautiful community that he made wherever he went. We hope you’re doing okay, given this awful loss. Kevin will be so terribly missed.

“We are getting in touch because we want to let you know about this fundraising effort we have set up to help Kevin's family with the significant cost of his final journey - his repatriation from Tenerife back to Ireland and his beautiful send-off in Crossboyne. We know that times are tight, so if you are in a position to donate, please know that it would be most appreciated and helpful,” she wrote.

Wallis Bird also stated that all donations will go directly from GoFundMe to the Ryan family to help with the funeral and repatriation costs and any excess funds will be donated by the Ryan family to the 'wonderful' Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

One person who made a comment after making a donation described Kevin as 'one of life’s shooting stars, he shone so bright but ended way too soon'.

Kevin who resided in Berlin was a singer-songwriter whose music was 'characterised by intense melodies, pure passion and energy'.

His Funeral Mass took place in The Church of The Sacred Heart, Crossboyne on Monday, January 8 and burial took place afterwards in Crossboyne Cemetery.

Predeceased by his father Olly, Kevin will be sadly missed by his mother Marcella and partner Terence, brothers Rory and Oliver and many relatives and friends in Ireland, Berlin and Spain.