The funeral of Michaela Harte, daughter of Tyrone senior football manager Mickey Harte, has been held in Co Tyrone amid large crowds and an international media presence.
She was murdered last week while on honeymoon in Mauritius with her husband John McAreavey. He led the mourners alongside Mickey Harte, his wife Marian; and Michaela's brothers - Mark and his wife Sineád; Michael and his wife Josephine, and Matty.
Prayers were offered at the family home in the townland of Glencull by Mr McAreavey's uncle, the Bishop of Dromore also called John McAreavey.
Mr McAreavey's parents, Brendan and Tish, also followed the simple coffin, with their daughters Claire and Anne and their brother Brian. The coffin was carried the one mile to St Malachy's church in Ballymacilroy, where the couple were married on December 30th.
The Requiem Mass began some 20 minutes late, such was a size of the cortege that made its way from the Harte family home.
Dr McAreavey welcomed the large number of dignitaries including President Mary McAleese; Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness; the Taoiseach's aide-de-camp, Comdt Michael Treacy; Mary Madden, representing Northern Secretary Owen Paterson; and the High Commissioner from Mauritius.
In his homily, Dr McAreavey spoke of the close bond between Michaela and her parents, particularly her mother, Marian.
He detailed her education at the local primary school, which the cortege had passed on its way to St Malachy's church; at Loreto Convent in Omagh; and at St Mary's University College in Belfast, where she trained as a teacher.
"As everyone knows, Michaela was close to her Dad," Dr McAreavey said. "And through him became part of the wide circle of friends in Tyrone and in the GAA family throughout Ireland."
Turning to her widower, the bishop said: "Five years ago Michaela became friends with John, and this opened the door to another circle of friends, firstly in Belfast where they were students, later in John's home area around Banbridge and Tullylish in Co Down."
The couple's friends had spoken of their special love. "They lived for one another; they enjoyed and supported one another in everything. Their lives revolved around one another; each talked endlessly about the other. Their hopes for the future were bound up in each other."
He remarked on the "glow of happiness" that radiated from the couple when they married. "Michaela took John's name and was delighted and proud to do so," the Bishop said. "Her profound faith and trust in the love of God underpinned her whole life, her values, her decisions, her attitudes and everything about her."
Dr McAreavey referred to the presence on the altar of Michaela's Pioneer pin, her fáinne and rosary, signifying her commitment to the Irish language and to her faith. A rose was also presented, a reference to Michaela's participation as the Ulster Rose in the Rose of Tralee pageant in 2004.
"She was a young woman who prayed and whose prayer was important to her," he said.
He recalled her murder on the holiday island of Mauritius last week: "Today we also need to somehow face the darkness of these days. An evil act ended Michaela's young life last Monday. It robbed John of his beautiful wife; it deprived the Harte family of their precious daughter and sister; it deprived the McAreavey family of the daughter-in-law they looked forward to having; it shattered hopes and dreams for the future."
The Bible readings were taken from the couple's marriage service on December 30th.
Tyrone senior captain Brian Dooher read the first lesson taken from the Song of Songs. Johnnie McDermot, chairman of the Tullylish GAA club where John plays football, read the second lesson, which was taken from St Paul's Letter to the Romans.
Prayers of the Faithful were offered by John Devine, the Tyrone goalkeeper; by Aileen O'Hare, one of Michaela's closest friends and a teaching colleague at St Patrick's Academy. The remaining prayers were offered by Susan Cullinan, the deceased's Irish teacher; and by Francie Donnelly, the couple's groomsman and a lifelong friend of Mr McAreavey.
Other family members took part in the offertory procession. These included Ms Harte's aunt and godmother, Catherine Strain; and Marie McAreavey, Mr McAreavey's aunt and confirmation sponsor.
Holy Communion was distributed both inside and outside St Malachy's church such was the size of the congregation.
After Mass, Dr McAreavey offered the final commendation, and the coffin was removed from the little church to the adjoining cemetery where Ms Harte was buried near her relatives in a private ceremony.
Earlier, morning mist had cleared to strong sunshine as members of Errigal Ciarán, the GAA club in Ballygawley which Mickey Harte used to manage, formed a guard of honour alongside members of the Tyrone senior football panel.
On arrival at the little church which holds a maximum congregation of just 300, the guard of honour was provided by members of John's GAA club in Tullylish, Co Down where he still plays football.
The funeral service began at about 12.50pm. After the hymn Christ Beside Me, Dr McAreavey welcomed those attending the service and expressed thanks to all those who have assisted the Harte and McAreavey families, in Ireland and in Mauritius, in the wake of the tragedy.
Also among the mourners were senior representatives of the GAA, led by president Christy Cooney and Danny Murphy, the organisation's Ulster secretary. Senior figures from the Irish Rugby Football Union and the Irish Football Association also joined the congregation. Other public representatives included Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams; SDLP leader Margaret Ritchie, the deputy leader of the Ulster Unionists, John McCallister and many other Assembly members, TDs and local councillors.
The lead concelebrant Dr McAreavey along with Archbishop Dermot Clifford, the patron of the GAA; Mgs Eoin Thynne, head chaplain of the Defence Forces; the Very Rev Michael Seery, the local parish priest; Mgr Aidan Hamill, vicar general of the Diocese of Dromore, the Very Rev Gerard McAleer, Parish Priest of Donoghmore; the Very Rev Gerald Powell, Parish Priest of Tullylish; and Fr Pater McAnelly, chaplain of St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon where Michaela taught Irish and religious education.