Side by side, the white coffins of mother and daughter Natalie and Ella McLaughlin sat at the altar of the Church of the Sacred Heart in Carndonagh for their funeral Mass.
The loss of Natalie McLaughlin, 27, and her eldest daughter Ella, 6, in a collision in Inishowen, Co. Donegal on Wednesday was an unspeakable tragedy.
Their funeral Mass heard of Natalie’s caring nature, and how she ensured her children felt “the most loved in the world.”
Tributes to Ella celebrated her as a bubbly and entertaining girl who “lived such a full life in a very short six years.”
Amidst the profound heartbreak, the family finds “the only consolation” in the fact that Natalie and Ella are now together.
Hundreds lined the streets of Carndonagh town centre as the funeral cortege carrying the beloved mother and daughter made its way to the church. Local schools and sports clubs stood in solidarity, and shops lowered their blinds as a mark of respect. Many mourners openly wept along the route.
Young Ella passed away at the scene of the two-vehicle collision on the Glentogher Road, just outside Carndonagh, on July 2nd. The following day, her mother Natalie, a nurse at a local doctor’s surgery, passed away at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Only two occupants of the car survived the crash. During the joint funeral Mass, prayers were offered for the swift recovery of Natalie’s partner, Tyrone Irwin, who is currently in Altnagelvin Hospital, and their 18-month-old daughter, Rhea-Rose, who continues to receive treatment at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
The young family had enjoyed a happy holiday in Portugal just two weeks prior to the accident.
Parish Priest Fr Con McLaughlin noted that the intense pain caused by the tragedy has resonated throughout the entire community.
He recalled the fateful day that Natalie, Tyrone, and the children embarked on their journey in their little red Opel Corsa, a journey that “would rob them of their young lives.”
Fr McLaughlin said his memory of little Rhea-Rose at the scene “brought home to me the pain and hopelessness of the situation.”
The Inishowen peninsula has, tragically, experienced the devastating impact of road accidents far too often.
Fr McLaughlin said: “The pain is felt not only in Carndonagh, but also throughout our Inishowen and further afield because it provides painful memories of all too many similar tragedies that have taken place throughout the region.”
Fr McLaughlin recounted a heart-wrenching statement from Natalie’s mother: ‘The only consolation I have is now that they are together’.
“Two young lives taken. No one has the answers,” said Fr McLaughlin.
Gifts and eulogies from Natalie’s family celebrated the cherished passions and admirable characters of both mother and daughter.
Natalie’s nursing uniform was presented at the altar. A tribute from her brother, Tiernan, highlighted how much she loved her job and how deeply she cared for everyone.
“Our Nat was the best big sister, mum, friend, daughter. She put everyone before herself, maybe sometimes a little too much, but it was obvious how much of a caring person she really was,” he said.
“As a mother she took care of two beautiful children who were always reminded that they were the most loved in the world.
“She was an amazing nurse, which is no wonder. Such a kind caring, loving, vibrant young woman who would make anyone feel welcome with her smile and soft spoken nature,” said her brother.
Also presented was Ella’s Labubu toy. She loved dancing and fashion, and she had proudly worn the Labubu attached to her shorts at a recent dance class, where she had many cherished friends, just as she did at St Patrick’s Girls National School.
Ella’s auntie Lara touchingly shared her niece’s delight in her recent holiday to Portugal, where as well as learning how to swim, she also had fun leaning how to play chess and do magic tricks.
“Our perfect, crazy girl with her cheeky little face and sassy attitude, it was easy for Ella to leave a lasting impression on everyone that she met,” Lara recalled fondly.
“Every emotion with Ella was heightened and so pure, she had the ability to love so intensely, from tight cuddles and showers of kisses to finding love notes she placed all around the house. We will love and miss you Ella, every second of every day.”
The funeral Mass concluded with a poignant pause as Ella’s favourite song, “Die With A Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, filled the church. The congregation listened to the moving lyrics, “nobody’s promised tomorrow” and “If the world was ending, I want to be next to you,” before departing for Natalie and Ella’s final journey, with interment in the adjoining cemetery.
In an effort to support the McLaughlin family during this tragedy, the local community has raised more than €43,000 through a GoFundMe campaign .
To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honouring-natalie-ella-a-communitys-love
Together Always – Loving mother and daughter remembered on final journey was last modified: July 7th, 2025 by
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