Killybegs bids a sad farewell to Kevin O’Boyle

There was huge sadness in the town of Killybegs as the community gathered for the funeral of 34-year-old Kevin O’Boyle.

Kevin, of 11 St Cummins Hill, Killybegs died on Good Friday after an illness borne with great courage and determination. 

Funeral Mass took place in St Mary of the Visitation Church, Killybegs on Easter Sunday.

Very Rev Colm Ó Gallchoir PP extended the sympathy of the parish to Kevin’s parents Josie and Teresa, his brothers Jason, Paul and Brendan, his sister Caroline and a wide circle of extended family and friends. 

The celebrant welcomed those gathered in the Church, including those who had travelled from England. 

He added: “We also welcome everyone joining online, especially Kevin’s friends watching from Sydney, Perth, Queensland and elsewhere in Australia, those watching from England, and elsewhere in the world.”

Having suffered a stroke in Sydney, Australia 14 months ago, Kevin was brought home with the help of a GoFundMe campaign. He was initially taken to Galway University Hospital in July, and then to Letterkenny University Hospital in November. 

“He was so determined to get well, so highly motivated despite all the hardship, so good humoured,” said Rev Ó Gallchóir. “So his death on Good Friday morning was such a huge blow.”

Kevin was the middle child of a family of five born to Josie and Teresa O’Boyle, born on May 16, 1988. 

“He was baptised in this chapel on May 27 of that year and confirmed here in June 2001,” recalled Rev Ó Gallchóir.

“He attended Niall Mór National School and St Catherine’s Vocational School. 

“But he had much more interest in diggers and machines than he had in the books. He started off working with Pauric Meehan and he worked in Poland and in Cavan before emigrating to Australia in 2008.

“While working in Cavan, the men in the digs took it in turns to do the cooking for the week. So Kevin was challenged and he would take his Mum’s stew with him in the boot of the car and all he had to do was the gravy.”

Mourners heard that Kevin loved his time in Australia. 

“He worked with a plant hire company, delivering and collecting the machinery,” said the celebrant.

“He came home for Christmas 2010 and it snowed that Christmas and all January, and that was his last Christmas home. 

“He travelled all over Australia, and also had a memorable visit to an engineering convention in Las Vegas, a very thoughtful birthday present. 

“He had so many friends, and though things didn’t work out with his girlfriend Nicky, they remained very good friends throughout, ringing her regularly from his hospital bed.”

Kevin’s brother Brendan joined him in Australia for around five years.

And mourners were reminded that Kevin’s constant travelling companion was his dog Seamus.

“He would be with him in his truck and he would even sneak him into his hotel room on his travels,” said Rev Ó Gallchóir. 

The massive, life-threatening stroke on February 11, 2022 turned Kevin’s whole world inside out.

“He showed such positivity and determination to get better, but it was not to be,” said the celebrant.

“His family couldn’t have been more supportive and they are really appreciative of all that was done for him in Blacktown Hospital in Sydney, and in Galway and Letterkenny University Hospitals. The staff there were just brilliant. 

“And they are also very appreciative of the great generous response to the fundraising effort to bring him home.”

Following Funeral Mass, Kevin was laid to rest in the local cemetery. 

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in his memory to the Patients Comfort Fund Letterkenny University Hospital can do so care of any family member or McBrearty Funeral Directors.