Christian McCullagh fondly remembered: ‘17 years on earth, forever in our hearts’

Christian McCullagh, whose brave battle with many illnesses sadly ended last week, was remembered in a moving eulogy delivered by his father Gary.

The 17-year-old, whose wide-reaching impact belied his tender young years, passed away in the loving arms of his family at Beaumont Hospital on September 10.

Hundreds packed into St Eunan’s Church and hundreds more huddled outside for the funeral Mass of Christian, a son of Gary and Aileen McCullagh from Beltany, Raphoe, on Sunday.

The droplets of rain dancing on the tops of umbrellas were punctured only by the haunting toll of the bells, rang by the sacristan Patricia Porter. 

Sometime around 11am, the old cathedral town fell still and silent, save for the deep growl of Keith Gamble’s yellow Mustang, leading Christian’s funeral cortege. Christian was a big fan of the now famous ‘Bear Run’ and ‘Bear’ took him to his confirmation in the same Mustang that led him now to his final place of rest.

Members past and present from Raphoe Boxing Club - where Gary is the head coach - and pupils and staff from St Eunan’s National School formed a moving guard of honour as Christian’s remains were taken into the Church. 

Students of Deele College - where Christian was a beloved student - and the Royal & Prior helped to line Raphoe’s streets, along with members of Raphoe Town FC.

Mourners came from near and far, and from all corners of many communities, in a show of strength and support to the bereaved family.

Not even a pin would have dropped in the concourse of the Church when heartbroken father Gary stood at the pulpit at the end of the Funeral Mass, which was celebrated by parish priest Fr Eamonn Kelly.

He recalled his son, Christian Gary James McCullagh being born on February 6, 2008, weighing 4lb 11.5oz. He said Christian had shown “unbelievable strength and courage from the minute he was born” until September 10 at 12.53pm when he slipped away.

Gary said Christian was “full of life, full of character, full of fun, full of stories, telling jokes” in spite of his illnesses.

Born five weeks prematurely on February 6, 2008, little Christian entered the world with a raft of medical complications, including a leaking heart valve, under-developed lungs and renal failure.

At the age of four, Christian was given a kidney by his father in October, 2012. Gary underwent a six-hour operation in Beaumont with the kidney transported across the city to Temple Street where little Christian spent four hours in theatre. All the while, mum Aileen kept a vigil between the two hospitals, praying for both husband and son.

Just a year-and-a-half later, in February 2015, the McCullaghs  paced the corridors of Crumlin children’s hospital for nine hours, wondering and waiting for updates on Christian, who had to undergo open heart surgery to replace a leaking valve.

Christian underwent his kidney transplant operation just a month after starting in Raphoe Community Playgroup. When he returned to the playgroup after the Christmas break, he “continued as if nothing had happened”.

When he went to St Eunan’s National School, Raphoe, he was “front and centre, no matter what was going on” while this summer should have had Christian in the exam hall at Deele College for his Junior Certificate exams. Alas, his latest medical set-back meant that he was unable to sit those exams, although he got some of the practical exams done.

Gary told his hospital appointments, surgeries, blood tests and scans were a huge part of Christian’s life, but when he was up and about “he was enjoying himself”.

“You would have been a big 13 years transplanted in October and a big 18 years in February,” Gary, choking back the tears, said.

“Christian loved to be doing the same as everyone else. He was no different to anyone.”

He remembered how Christian “doted” on his many cousins and “loved nothing more than being in his granny’s listening to everything that was going on.” Christian was a dab hand at cards and was fond of going out to rallies.

‘Auntie CC’ always made sure his hair was looking good and he adored the family celebrations and dinners - particularly the roasts from uncle Ciaran’s butchers.

“He loved family time,” Gary said,  “Christian was our world at home: fighting, scolding, helping out with Rocha and Riley, everything was your meds, ’drink your water’, ‘do your magic’.”

He thanked those who had helped out recently during Christian’s illness, including Aileen’s work colleagues at Donegal ETB and his own club-mates at Raphoe Boxing Club, as well as those who helped to mind Rocha and Riley “while Aileen and myself passed each other up and down to Beaumont”.

The many people who aided at the wake and funeral - from the tea ladies to the bus drivers, Kelly’s Funeral Directors and Fr Kelly as well as the neighbours, family and friends - were praised.

A large number of medical personnel were singled out for their assistance: Raphoe Pharmacy; Dr Duffy and the staff of Raphoe Health Centre; Letterkenny General Hospital; Crumlin children’s hospital; Dr Mary Waldon and the staff of the neurology ward; Mr Fergal Quinn, a neurology surgeon who performed over 25 procedures on Christian; Professor Orla Franklin, a leading cardiac consultant at Temple Street; Dr Ateef Awan; Dr Clodagh Sweeney; Dr Niamh Dolan; Dr Michael Riordan and nurse specialist Joan Flynn and Marie from Beaumont; Professor Declan De Fretias and all his team; Mr John Quinn; Mr Fergal McGlynn and team in St Teresa’s Ward; and the Irish Kidney Renal Support Centre.

He expressed gratitude to Emer Crawford and the Hearing Clinic; Bridgeen in the ear, nose and throat clinic as well as Noelle, Jennifer, Louise, Jeanie and Sharon who were special needs assistants to Christian over the years.

The biggest thanks of all, however, was for Christian. 

He said: “Our special little man; everything you went through in the past 17 years made us into the family we are today.

“Our Christian, we will love you forever. Seventeen years on earth, forever in our hearts”.