Cillian Flaherty (15), who was due to appear on RTÉ’s Ireland’s Fittest Family, died suddenly on Monday morning, sending shockwaves through his community in Whitestown, near Blanchardstown in Dublin.
Heartbroken family members, friends and mourners, dressed in sky blue, walked from his home at 10.30am to the Church of St. Philip the Apostle, Mountview in Clonsilla this morning for Cillian’s Requiem Mass.
White and blue balloons decorated the aisle leading up to his light blue coffin, which was singed all over in marker by friends and family to “take away a little bit of sadness” from his funeral Mass.
The coffin, adorned with a wreath and a framed photograph of the late teenager, was marked with personal memories and affections from the last 15 years.
The family thanked RTÉ, who confirmed that this Sunday’s planned broadcast of the season opener of Fittest Family was being postponed.
Mourners heard how Cillian, whose family were one of 16 to take part, was “so looking forward to the show airing”.
After seeing the ad for the show, the teenager had told all them that there would be queues out the door looking for autographs and he was expecting his art teacher in school to have a banner for him on his return.
“He was so looking forward to watching it. Fair play to them all for pulling the plug on it, they respect us. They all came out to us in the last couple of days.
“It could come out next week or in six months and we are still going to watch it the same way, we are going to be heartbroken,” his older brother Kian said.
Fr Justin Purba, leading the funeral Mass, described Cillian Flaherty, who was lovingly nicknamed ‘Cillo Flats’ by friends and family as a “really good kid”.
He said the third-year student at Blakestown Community School in Blanchardstown was “independent” and an “enthusiastic sportsperson”.
Opening his homily, his older brother Kian, said: “To my little brother Cillian, I loved you more than anything in the world, we were the best of friends.”
He told mourners that the impact his younger brother had on the community was both “overwhelming” and “unbelievable”.
“I’ve never seen a group of friends so big and so caring, in all my life. The last few days we lit the place up and there was no better person to do it for,” he said.
Mr Flaherty thanked each and every person who came to the house and memorial, for their messages, flowers, gifts, sandwiches and pictures, saying on behalf of the family that they were “eternally grateful”.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to live out your dream and get to become a DJ like me but I’ll make it big, I promise,” he said in tribute to young Cillian.
Mourners heard that there was no better man to pick out a fresh tracksuit and pair of runners, as well as hearing about his love for watches.
Mr Flaherty recalled how big and strong his brother, who played for the under-16 Mountview Boys and Girls Football Club, was, winning their player of the year last season.
“You never went down from a tackle too easy. No matter what injury you had, you always battled through,” he said.
They also heard of his love for rollercoasters during a family holiday in Orlando, as well as his knowledge espoused from Call of Duty, which was demonstrated when the brothers went to a shooting range together.
“If Gordon Ramsay was 15 years of age, it would be you, man. There wasn’t a dish you didn’t try and cook,” mourners heard.
Mr Flaherty added: “I spent the best 15 years of my life with you. They were the best 15 years I could have asked for.
“We are going to need all the strength in the world to get through this, but no doubt you will be beaming down with pride, every day of the week.
“I love you kid. Rest in paradise and look after us all. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later.”
Mourners were also offered a deeper glimpse into Cillian’s life, as different symbols were brought to the altar by his family members.
These included his phone, his hairbrush and his No. 6 jersey for his football team, Mountview.
His coach ‘Mooch’ also stood up to pay tribute to Cillian, who he called his star player, and described as a “diamond to be around”.
“We all had our precious moments with Cillian. Everything he touched was gold, he had it all ahead of him. He wasn’t a kid, he was me pal.
“He was that mature and of that mindset. I had a baby a few weeks ago and Cillo would always ask ‘how’s the baby Mooch?’
“What 15-year-old asks you how is your kid,” he said.
Mourners heard how Cillian always helped out in setting up training, whether it was the goals or just being there to get things started.
“He gave me everything. On the pitch on a Saturday or Sunday morning this kid was dynamite. He was going do everything… he had his whole life ahead of him.
“For the kids out there. It is alright to cry, it is alright to talk. Keep Cillo’s name alive.
“We are going to keep his name alive in this community, whether it be in his school or his football club or his fiends,” he said.
