United in grief as much loved Peter is laid to rest

“IF love could have saved you, Peter, you would have lived forever.” 

 Those were the heartfelt words heard at the funeral yesterday morning of Peter Byrne (17), who tragically died in a drowning accident in the River Barrow near Milford last Tuesday. The Cathedral of the Assumption in Carlow town was packed with Peter’s family and his many friends, some of whom formed a guard of honour, wearing white t-shirts with a memory of him printed on them.

Peter, from Dolmen Gardens, was a student at St Mary’s Academy CBS, Carlow. He was the much-loved son of Antoinette and Stephen and stepson of Dermot, brother of Margaret, Kellie-Anna, Erin, Scott and his twin brother Quintan and adored grandson of Anne and Peter and step-grandson of PJ.

Tributes have been flooding in all over social media since his death, with his friends expressing their grief by making short films featuring him on TikTok. Hundreds of people from Carlow and beyond took to Facebook and RIP.ie to extend their sympathies to Peter’s family.

Peter was a keen pool player and played football with New Oak Football Club. Members paid tribute to him on their Facebook page. They said: ‘Peter was a pocket rocket in the team over the last number of years. Small in stature but big in personality. He was a huge character with a touch of Roy Keane about him, not afraid of anything or anyone. Peter was the life and soul of the dressing room and training and will be sadly missed by his coaches Ernie, Danny and all his teammates, who have not only lost a fellow player but a friend.’ 

The principal of St Mary’s Academy CBS Fiona Lennon also paid tribute to the much-loved teenager.

“We are particularly mindful of Peter’s family and his wide circle friends at this time. Their grief is heavy and we hold them in our thoughts as they navigate these difficult days and months ahead. No words can express the pain of such a loss and we extend to them our deepest sympathies and support,” she said.

Chief celebrant at the requiem Mass yesterday (Monday), Fr Thomas O’Byrne, PP of the cathedral parish, echoed those sentiments when he said that there were “no words” to adequately express the grief that Peter’s family and friends felt.

“Our hearts are laden down with grief for Peter,” said Fr O’Byrne.

Peter’s granny, Anne, explained the gifts that were brought up in the Offertory procession, which reflected his teenage life, including a pool cue, a hairdryer, his man bag and a football jersey.

Two of his friends paid tribute to him from the altar, with one of them remembering his days in the CBS with Peter being “the funniest moments” of his life. “I’ve a lot of love for you,” he said, while the other friend said that he lost part of himself with Peter’s death. He said that he would always remember his friend’s “beautiful smile” and their many games of pool in Brennan’s, which could solve any problem.

In a moving eulogy, his uncle Bert recalled that Peter was known as ‘Little Petey’ because of his size, as he and his twin brother Quintan were born three months premature. He told the congregation that Peter was proud to play with New Oak Football Club and that he loved clothes and looking well.

“He cared for everyone,” said Bert, especially his family and particularly Quintan or Quinny, with the twins sharing a special bond since birth. He also thanked the emergency services who recovered Peter’s body from the River Barrow at Milford last Tuesday.

Following requiem Mass, Peter was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow.