Close Menu
    What's Hot

    Trump says he is terminating trade talks with Canada over tax on tech firms

    June 28, 2025

    Dual load getting heavier, but Cork ace Coppinger can’t help but carry on

    June 28, 2025

    Ireland aiming to escape middleground in search for promotion

    June 28, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Trump says he is terminating trade talks with Canada over tax on tech firms
    • Dual load getting heavier, but Cork ace Coppinger can’t help but carry on
    • Ireland aiming to escape middleground in search for promotion
    • Cathal Dennehy: Still a great beauty to pushing to the limit
    • As my nephew waits for a kidney donor, a chat today is worth a life tomorrow
    • The stories and secret weapons behind five of Ireland’s best B&Bs
    • Billionaire Jeff Bezos marries Lauren Sanchez in lavish Venice ceremony
    • Pop superstar delights Aviva, Dublin with moving tribute to Sinéad O’Connor
    • Demos
    • Politics
    • Money
    • Buy Now
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Local Europe NewsLocal Europe News
    Subscribe
    Saturday, June 28
    • Home
    • Features
      • Typography
      • Contact
      • View All On Demos
    • Sports

      Dual load getting heavier, but Cork ace Coppinger can’t help but carry on

      June 28, 2025

      Ireland aiming to escape middleground in search for promotion

      June 28, 2025

      Cathal Dennehy: Still a great beauty to pushing to the limit

      June 28, 2025

      Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Big switches and small margins as heavyweights go through the gears

      June 27, 2025

      Lando Norris puts Canada crash behind him to set practice pace in Austria

      June 27, 2025
    • Typography
    • Sports
      1. Politics
      2. Money
      3. View All

      Trump says he is terminating trade talks with Canada over tax on tech firms

      June 28, 2025

      Billionaire Jeff Bezos marries Lauren Sanchez in lavish Venice ceremony

      June 27, 2025

      SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas explodes, but no injuries reported

      June 27, 2025

      Lomboto goal works a ‘treat’ for Finn Harps in Limerick

      June 27, 2025

      Dual load getting heavier, but Cork ace Coppinger can’t help but carry on

      June 28, 2025

      Ireland aiming to escape middleground in search for promotion

      June 28, 2025

      Cathal Dennehy: Still a great beauty to pushing to the limit

      June 28, 2025

      Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Big switches and small margins as heavyweights go through the gears

      June 27, 2025
    • Buy Now
    Local Europe NewsLocal Europe News
    Home»Top News Stories

    Michael Gaine remembered as generous and loving at Kerry funeral

    LEN EditorBy LEN EditorJune 7, 2025Updated:June 7, 2025 Top News Stories No Comments6 Mins Read
    Michael Gaine remembered as generous and loving at Kerry funeral
    ' + t + '
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Michael Gaine was today remembered as “soft and loving, caring and affectionate, kind and considerate.” 

    The 56-year-old farmer, mourners heard at his funeral in Kerry, was unafraid to show his emotions.

    In a tribute read on behalf of the family by his cousin Eoghan Clarke, he was also described as “brave, fearless and strong.” 

    The tribute was delivered after Janice Gaine and other members of the farmer’s family arrived with Mr Gaine’s ashes, cradled in a sheepskin-lined basket and carried into Holy Cross Church, Kenmare.

    Family and friends gather outside Holy Cross Church in Kenmare, awaiting the funeral Mass of Michael Gaine. Picture Dan Linehan

    Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Clarke said: “Micheal was a proud man, a proud Kerry man, and an even prouder Kenmare man.

    “While I can’t even scratch the surface of all the lovely stories that his sisters, nieces and nephews will have of Micheal, I know he was always delighted to spend time and to share his interests with him.

    “Micheal meant so much to so many people, and I’d ask that everyone thinks of their favourite memories of Michael, and to hold those happy memories in your mind.” 

    Eoghan Clarke cousin of murdered Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine speaking at his funeral at the Holy Cross Church in Kenmare. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

    He spoke of Mr Gaine’s broad interests, including rallying, farming, current affairs, holidays to faraway exotic places, Done Deal, and “all music — even opera.”

    He said: “Michael was generous, incredibly generous.

    “He had time for everyone and would chip in to help anytime and any place.

    “Michael seemed to always find the time to do the work of three men on his own farm, help out friends, family and neighbours, keep up to speed on current affairs and enjoy himself.

    “He loved life. He always made the most of it, and he truly lived every single moment.

    “He always had the iconic twinkle in his eye – the ‘I’m delighted to see you’, ‘I’m in great form’ and ‘Let’s go and enjoy ourselves’ glint in his eye.”

    The urn of murdered Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine is carried into the Holy Cross Church in Kenmare for his funeral. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

    Mr Clarke added: “Mike, by virtue of an incredible character, attracted a lot of good people into his life.

    “He had a photographic memory for facts, faces, places and words, and personally, this was always one of the most fascinating things to me about Micheal, the ability to put in a full day’s shift on the farm and then to chat about politics, world events, economic developments while Being fully up to speed on all of them.

    “In Janice’s own words, Michael was a true man. He was soft and loving, caring and affectionate, kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions.

    “He was also brave, fearless and strong.

    “He was strong mentally. And as anyone who ever tried to follow him up the mountain in wellies will know, he was strong physically, too.” 

    Michael Gaine’s sister Catherine at Holy Cross Church in Kenmare for the funeral Mass of her brother Michael Gaine. Picture Dan Linehan

    Mementos of his life were brought up later, including a photograph of him on his quad bike with his faithful Cavalier dog, Teddy.

    Other symbols included a photo of him on holiday, representing his travels to Taiwan, Australia, and the US; a globe, reflecting his interest in current affairs; and a CD, symbolising his love for all kinds of music, including opera.

    Mourners heard he was a fan of The Mamas and the Papas, blues artist Seasick Steve, and Fleetwood Mac.

    Friend Shane McCarthy brought up his rally helmet, while brother-in-law Sean O’Regan presented a photo of Mr Gaine in his rally car.

    Mourners leaving following the funeral of Co Kerry farmer Michael Gaine at the Holy Cross Church in Kenmare. Picture date: Saturday June 7, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story FUNERAL Gaine. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire

    Celebrant Father George Hayes said during his homily that it was important now to remember Michael Gaine for how he lived, not how he died.

    He said: “Over the weeks since Michael went missing, we’ve asked so many questions, and in life, sometimes there are no answers.

    “But in the best tradition of Irish funerals, today is a day for recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine.

    “Today we recover Michael’s dignity, because today we speak Michael’s name with love, and it is the dignity of Michael’s life —  and not the manner of Michael’s death — that will abide in our hearts.”

    After the service, Mr Gaine’s widow Janice led his family down the church aisle, holding the basket with his urn.

    She then passed his ashes to funeral director John Finnegan, who walked to Mr Gaine’s white, recently restored rally car parked behind the hearse, and placed the basket in the front passenger seat.

    The hearse, with Janice inside, led the funeral procession from the churchyard, followed by the rally car driven by his friend Shane McCarthy.

    His tractor also joined the cortege, driven by another friend, DJ Neil.

    The procession wound slowly through the town, passing Main Street, Shelbourne Street, Henry Street, the Square, and Park Street, pausing briefly outside his former home on Railway Road.

    He was then taken to a private family burial.

    Janice Gaine is greeted by Celebrant Fr. George Hayes, Parish Priest, at the doors of Holy Cross Church, Kenmare, ahead of the funeral Mass for Michael Gaine. Picture Dan Linehan

    Mr Gaine was last seen alive on March 20, buying phone credit at Centra in Kenmare.

    The missing person search became a murder investigation on May 16, after a contractor found a piece of human tissue while spreading slurry on Mr Gaine’s farm.

    The man, who had worked with the Gaine family for years, discovered the remains after his machinery jammed. The farm was sealed off and declared a murder scene.

    Michael Kelley, who lived on Mr Gaine’s farm for three years, was arrested on May 18.

    Although he was questioned at length in Killarney Garda Station, he was later released without charge and no file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

    Kelley has since confirmed he was a suspect and has publicly denied any involvement in Mr Gaine’s death.

    In a separate interview, he said he had not been invited to the funeral and chose to stay away.

    News Source : Irish Examiner

    funeral Gaine generous Kerry loving Michael remembered
    LEN Editor
    • Website

    Keep Reading

    The stories and secret weapons behind five of Ireland’s best B&Bs

    As my nephew waits for a kidney donor, a chat today is worth a life tomorrow

    Pop superstar delights Aviva, Dublin with moving tribute to Sinéad O’Connor

    Funeral details announced for 'gentle soul' Colm Lynch-O'Sullivan after tragic road death in Laois

    Off-duty garda who assaulted hotel porter while ‘paralytic drunk’ avoids conviction

    Which of these sourdough breads rises to the occasion?

    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Editors Picks

    Arena presenter Seán Rocks picks his touchstones

    June 23, 2025

    Music legend Brush Shiels picks his touchstones 

    June 2, 2025
    Latest Posts

    Subscribe to News

    Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

    Advertisement
    Demo
    Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    News

    • World
    • US Politics
    • EU Politics
    • Business
    • Opinions
    • Connections
    • Science

    Company

    • Information
    • Advertising
    • Classified Ads
    • Contact Info
    • Do Not Sell Data
    • GDPR Policy
    • Media Kits

    Services

    • Subscriptions
    • Customer Support
    • Bulk Packages
    • Newsletters
    • Sponsored News
    • Work With Us

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    © 2025 Local Europe News
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • Accessibility

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.