An Irish teacher who died in France this month was “a gift taken too soon” mourners were told on Sunday.
At Eimear Noonan's funeral Mass on Sunday in the tiny northeast Clare village of Flagmount, her brother Michael recalled his only sister's wonderful kindness, positivity "and her cherished love of family".
The 21-year-old died after she fell while out for a jog in the southeast French town of Annonay earlier this month.
Ms Noonan, a first-class honours graduate in French and Irish at UCC, was teaching English at a school in the small town and her body was found on November 10th.
In an emotional tribute at the end of her funeral Mass at St Mary’s Church, Flagmount, Mr Noonan said: “Over the course of the last few days, we have had times when we have been torn from grief at its most crippling and painful to moments of pure joy and laughter.
“One would have to wonder how such a thing could be possible in the circumstances, but given the personality and nature of our Eimear, happiness, joy and laughter seem best for her.
“Eimear, we will always hold you in our hearts – you were a gift taken too soon.”
