'Máire was a powerhouse of sunshine' – Tributes paid to Castlebar native Máire Kelly Moore

THE late Máire Kelly Moore has been remembered as ‘a powerhouse of sunshine’ and a ‘lovely, bubbly, cheerful, joyous person’.

The well-known hairdresser was laid to rest today (Friday) after mourners queued to sympathise for half an hour before the start of her funeral ceremony at the Church of the Holy Rosary in Castlebar.

A native of Castlebar, Máire was the proprietor of Kelly's Hair and Beauty Salon, Castle Street, Castlebar. News of Máire’s passing drew sympathy from thousands of mourners from across the West Mayo and Castlebar areas.

Her funeral recalled her positive outlook on life, her love of hairdressing, her family and farming life after she moved to live in Aughagowla, Fahy outside Westport following her marriage to Patrick.

A comb, a blanket and a pair of wellingtons were among the symbols brought forward in recognition of the things she loved the most.

Speaking at the ceremony this morning (Friday), her daughter Amy described her late mother as ‘a powerhouse of sunshine’ with ‘an incredible way of looking at life’.

Amy also recalled the dignity with which she bore her recent illness and the warmth she afforded to all who knew her.

“Máire was a powerhouse of sunshine. She radiated it. As the saying goes, if we could bottle it and sell it, we’d be sold out. And that sunshine doesn’t just disappear. Máire’s presence is still huge. It can fill a room,” said Amy.

“It’s filled this room with her family, friends and neighbours, heartbroken to have to say goodbye. But remember that Máire had an incredible way of looking at life. Negativity wasn’t even in her dictionary.

“She saw the world in a specific light. She understood that positivity is a choice and she chose it every single time and the best that we can do is try and do the same.”

Fr Jim Walsh, Parish Priest of Kilmeena and Fahy, who knew Máire for 29 years, described her as ‘a lovely, bubbly, cheerful, joyous person who loved to meet people’.

“And people would love to meet her, because she would lift your heart. She was that kind of person,” said Fr Walsh.

Máire passed away in the loving care of the staff at Mayo Hospice on July 31, 2023.

She is deeply regretted by her heartbroken husband Patrick, son Cian, daughter Amy, her mother Teresa, brothers Tom and John, mother-in-law Mary Catherine, brothers-in-law John, Keith, Chris, Peter and Neil, sisters-in-law Maureen, Patricia, Noreen, Olivia, Gina, Mary and Catriona, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, work colleagues and friends.

May her soul rest in peace.