'Glittering success' of Clare Boylan's life recalled

The author and journalist Clare Boylan (58) who died on Tuesday last did not want her funeral to be an occasion of mourning, but one of celebration, her requiem Mass in Bray, Co Wicklow, heard yesterday.

A large contingent of well known people from the worlds of literature, publishing and journalism heard journalist Noeleen Dowling pay tribute to the author's "compassion, sense of humour and insight" which had defined Clare Boylan as well as her work.

Among the attendance were former Irish Press editor Tim Pat Coogan, former Evening Press editor Seán Ward, former colleagues Emmanuel Keogh, Brian Lynch, Philip Nolan, Joe Kennedy and June Levine.

Also in attendance were Deirdre Falvey and Frances O'Rourke of The Irish Times , columnist Mary Kenny of Independent News and Media and the authors Maeve Binchy and Gordon Snell.

From RTÉ came actor Emmet Bergin while deputy leader of the Labour Party Liz McManus, a Wicklow TD, also attended. Kevin Kelly of Image magazine, which Ms Boylan formerly edited, attended the removal service on Wednesday, as did wine writer Mary Dowey.

The chief mourners were Ms Boylan's husband Alan Wilkes and her sisters Ann Dalton and Patricia Ryan. Describing the "glittering success of Ms Boylan's life" Ms Dowling's eulogy referred to seven novels, three collections of stories and two anthologies. She said Ms Boylan's strength was that she could "empathise and describe that empathy".

In her final months Ms Boylan was appreciative of the time, free from distractions of everyday routine, to develop her spirituality. "Clare wanted to emphasise that while she would not have chosen perhaps to die at this time or in this way, she felt a great spiritual comfort in the last few months. She had for the first time in her life the time and leisure to develop her spirituality and that meant a great deal to her" said Ms Dowling.

Tributes were also paid to Ms Boylan's talents as a host and as a cook and her ability as a "brilliant and generous teacher" during her period as a teacher of creative writing classes.

Biblical readings were performed by Alan Wilkes and Fr Joe Murphy, the chief celebrant. Fr Pat Rogers of Mount Argus also officiated.

Offerings of bread and wine were brought to the altar by Ms Boylan's sister Patricia and a niece, Evelyn, while another niece, Liz Ryan, sang the refrain As I Sit Here Remembering You, made famous by tenor Dermot Troy and the hymn Going Home by Dvorak.