Shock at sad passing of Tiernan (20)

The “love, generosity and courage” of the Grennan family in donating the organs of their only son was commended by Parish Priest, Fr. John Stapleton, at his funeral Mass in Killeigh’s St Patrick’s Church on Monday of this week.

20-year old Tiernan Grennan, who was the adored only son of Willie and Carol, from Grennan’s on the Green licensed premises in Killeigh village, passed away on Thursday, May 18, in Beaumont Hospital after suffering a brain aneurysm on April 23.

Referring to the brave decision of his parents and family to donate his organs, chief celebrant at his funeral Mass, Fr Stapleton, told the overflowing congregation that, at the same time as Tiernan’s family and friends are grieving the loss of a “son, a brother, a boyfriend, a grandson” three other families are “immensely grateful” for the “love, generosity and courage” of the family in agreeing to organ donation. “For those three individuals and their families you have given them the gift of life” he said.

Fr Stapleton said news of Tiernan Grennan’s sudden illness had plunged the village of Killeigh and the surrounding countryside into “shock and growing sadness” over the past month, and that prayers for his recovery had been said “here, there and everywhere” and people had been visiting the church “at all hours” to light candles, “I beg you to continue your prayers for his family and friends,” he added.

During the deeply poignant funeral Mass, Tiernan Grennan was remembered as a young man who had “never given a day’s trouble” to his parents, his sister or his grandparents and was “ever respectful and caring” with an inclination to “always reach out to help others whenever and wherever he could”.

That willingness to help others had pervaded every aspect of his young life, with his funeral Mass hearing of how he was “the best big brother” to his younger sister, Aoibhe, and was “the most incredible son” that his parents could ever have asked for.

The symbols brought to the altar spoke of a young man who loved music, sport, playing his Playstation for hours with his friends, supporting his beloved Manchester United, was a member of a darts team, took a great pride in his appearance, especially his hair and loved a cup of tea.

Fr Stapleton, who officiated at Tiernan’s Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation told his grieving family and friends that while they were burying his body his spirit, soul and his very person are now “free of the limits of the human body and will be with you wherever you go and whenever you think of him”.

Among the many tributes paid to Tiernan Grennan since news of his untimely death broke last week was a heartbreaking tribute by his local GAA club, Clodiagh Gaels, with whom he played both hurling and football and was a hugely popular figure with all his young team mates. In a post on their Facebook page the club said they were “lost for words and in shock” and added that it was “hard to comprehend the shadow that is covering our parish at present”.

Tiernan proudly represented Clodiagh Gaels for a number of years and was part of the team that won the Junior C football championship in 2020. Only last year he played a pivotal role at corner back on the Junior A hurling team who reached the county semi final, and he was also a member of the senior hurling panel. The club said Tiernan, who had so many friends both on and off the field, was never seen without a smile on his face and “would always say hello”.

Tiernan Grennan is survived by his parents, Willie and Carol, sister Aoibhe, girlfriend Jessi, grandparents Michael, Pauline, Jim and Mary, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and his many friends.

He was laid to rest in Killeigh cemetery on Monday afternoon after his funeral Mass.