A Cork couple who died in an accident just three days into a holiday in Spain given to them as a 25th anniversary present were buried in Bantry yesterday.
More than 2,000 locals attended the Requiem Mass and lined the route to the cemetery.
Matthew (49) and Margaret (48) O'Sullivan were on holiday in Santa Ponsa, Majorca, on September 21st when they were knocked down as they made their way back to their hotel after a night out.
Ms O'Sullivan died at the scene and her husband died in hospital a few hours later.
Fr George O'Mahony, the chief celebrant at yesterday's funeral Mass at St Finbarr's church in Bantry, said he had spent the last nine days "wondering and pondering" how he would bring comfort to the couple's children, friends and family.
"It is a storm of grief, a storm of loss, a storm of pain and a storm of sorrow," he said. "There is a huge hole in our hearts. We thank God for the many acts of kindness they brought to others. They were warm, loving and generous parents."
The O'Sullivans ran a popular guesthouse in Bantry. Fr O'Mahony, a relative, spoke of his fond memories of watching Mr O'Sullivan play hurling and football in his younger years.
He said Mr O'Sullivan was a big "muscular" man who was a tower of strength on the pitch and known for his sportsmanship and generosity.
Fr O'Mahony said Ms O'Sullivan had touched many lives during her work as a B&B owner. He told the packed church that on hearing of her death, he could think only of her "warm, welcoming face" and smile.
Their coffins were laid next to each other in the church. In a touching tribute, their children, the youngest of whom is just 19, had placed floral tributes on either side of the altar bearing the words "Mum" and "Dad." A joint photograph of the couple was also on the altar.
Nine priests concelebrated the Requiem Mass. Parish priest Fr John O'Donovan described the couple's passing as "a terrible blow to the family and to the community".
An estimated 3,000 mourners attended the O'Sullivan removal on Thursday night. People who could not fit in to the church yesterday lined the hearse's journey to the nearby Abbey cemetery.
They are survived by their three children Clare, Kieran and Susan. Also there were Finbarr O'Sullivan, a brother of Mattie, and his wife Kathleen. They were in Santa Ponsa with the couple.
An Englishwoman, Josephine Wallis (27), who has been living in Majorca for many years, was arrested in relation to the crash.
She is expected to be charged with dangerous driving.