Numerous rally enthusiasts and participants from Killarney turned out in Waterford today to bid a sad final farewell to legendary driver Craig Breen who forged a hugely successful World Rally Championship partnership with Fossa man Paul Nagle and was a great supporter of motorsport events in Kerry.
In addition to their successes around the world, Breen and Nagle were big players on the domestic circuit and they triumphed in both the Rally of the Lakes and the Killarney Historic Rally.
Today hundreds of mourners gathered in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Ferrybank, Co Waterford for the funeral of the gifted 33-year-old driver, who lost his life in a crash while in testing for his Hyundai WRC team in Croatia on Thursday.
Members of the public lined the route as his tri-colour draped coffin was shouldered afterwards through the adjoining cemetery to the family plot.
Paul Nagle was among the mourners at the funeral service and the car in which they enjoyed so many successes was parked alongside the grave.
Picture: Eamonn Keogh
Craig and Paul competed in the World Rally Championship for Citroen, M-Sport Ford and Hyundai, Citroen until the experienced Fossa navigator’s retirement late last year.
They won the Rally of the Lakes in 2019 and the Historic Rally in Killarney 2021 and they were always a huge attraction when competing locally.
In an emotional tribute before the funeral Mass commenced this Tuesday, Paul’s sister, Kellie, said he went from being a driver with a dream to a driver living the dream.
“He wore his heart on his sleeve and he was loved around the world. He was the people’s champion,” Kellie said.
“Please keep his spirit alive. His school yearbook send-off quote was that he wanted to make people proud – Craig, I can safely say, mission accomplished,” Kellie said.
Celebrant Fr Kieran O’Shea said it was nearly impossible to find adequate words following the immense sadness and grief that Craig’s death has caused.
“This is an unbelievably sad day. No-one could ever have thought this could be a reality and not in their wildest imagination would they think that Craig’s short live would be ended,” he said.
“There is sadness, there is tears but, you know what, the sun is shining today too as we say goodbye to someone who brought so much sunshine and joy to so many. Today our tears are mingled with sunshine,” Fr O’Shea said.
Gifts brought to the altar to celebrate Craig’s life included his rally helmet and gloves, a trophy and a box of tea-bags which was something that was never far from his side.
As the burial was taking place in beautiful April sunshine, strains of Coldplay’s Sky Full of Stars rang out around the cemetery.
KillarneyToday.com: Setting the standard. Email: news@killarneytoday.com or Call 087-2229761
