Large turnout for funeral of Willie Tully in Killybegs

There was a capacity attendance in the St Mary of the Visitation Church, Killybegs on Sunday as the  funeral Mass of the late Willie Tully took place.

A guard of honour was formed by the local Killybegs GAA Club, a fitting honour for one of the best club men, who was an extremely good volunteer since arriving to live in the area thirty years ago in 1993.

The late Mr Tully's sudden death took place after he had shown remarkable courage in his fight after suffering a stroke back in January and he battled his illness with great dignity.

In his homily, Fr Colm O'Gallchoir, PP, told the packed congregation that Willie "had accepted that the time had come for him to be gone, having fought the good fight to the end."

Born on 11 September, 1955, in Legan, Willie passed to his reward just weeks short of his 68th birthday, taken far too soon. He was the youngest of five and was baptised in St Naul's Church, Ardaghey, where the family journeyed each Sunday to worship.

Willie attended Croagh National School and the Tech in Donegal Town before going to work in the Boatyard in Killybegs.

He emigrated to London on St Patrick's Day, 1974 to join the rest of his siblings. There he became one of the famous Donegal Tunnel Tigers. It was in London that he met his wife, Jackie and they married in 1980. Sarah and Ciaran were born in London before the family moved back home to Donegal and to Killybegs in 1993.

Willie worked in construction with John Cunningham and also helped out in the family home where Jackie ran a B&B. His great interest was in gardening and sheep farming, which he carried out on the family home in Legan, also cutting and saving turf.

Interested in all sports, Willie had a passion for the GAA above all. His strength was in the role of volunteer, being instrumental in setting up the Minor Board in Killybegs and involved in the Senior Board Executive, serving as secretary and treasurer. 

His underage years with the GAA were with St Naul's, for whom his elder brothers also played for.

A St Naul's underage team with Willie third from right, middle row

Willie was hands-on, involved in every project and his last project at the Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park was the provision of a Tuck Shop and Ticket Booth. He had worked closely with two other recently deceased club members, Billy Broderick and John Murrin.

When a granite table and seats were erected in memory of John Murrin, it was Willie who took on the job. He was so precise in his work, so professional but also a lot of fun and laughter during his work. He was very comical and a great storyteller and he had no enemies, loved by all who came in contact with him.

Willie was so proud of his native Legan and was one of the main organisers of the Legan Road Reunion in 2013 when over 500 attended. He just loved his roots and his family tree heritage.

But Fr Colm in his homily said, "above all he was a family man, totally dedicated to his family. One of the gifts which will be brought up later is a heart made of wood, symbolic of that all embracing love for Jackie, Sarah and Ciarán."

After Requiem Mass in Killybegs, Willie's cortege made its way to his final resting place in Bruckless cemetery, via his native Legan.

Predeceased by his brother, Colm, Willie is survived by his wife Jackie; daughter, Sarah; son, Ciarán; brothers Charlie and Danny; sister, Mary and by a large family circle. May his gentle soul rest in peace. P.C.