The "quiet dignity and courage" shown by the families of the five girls killed in the Navan bus crash one year ago had influenced many, the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith, said last night.
Speaking at the first anniversary Mass for the five girls, Dr Smith said the deaths of Claire McCluskey (18), Deirdre Scanlon (17), Lisa Callan (15), Aimee McCabe (15) and Sinéad Ledwidge (15) had evoked "enormous sympathy".
The girls had distinct personalities but all were " gifted and good people who graced life and graced their families with their presence over their short span of years".
Dr Smith said their lives were not in vain. "During their short span of life they brought great joy to their families. They will never leave your thoughts, nor will their memory ever fade. That is as it should be."
The Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Assumption, Beauparc. Three of the girls are buried at the graveyard beside the church.
Afterwards, Dr Smith blessed a new memorial garden beside the church. It was designed by Elma Fenton, the landscape architect and garden designer who won a silver medal at the Chelsea Flower Show last year. She won the award at the same time as the bus crash and callers to radio programmes suggested that her garden be used as a memorial to the girls.
"It was an honour to be asked to do this," Ms Fenton said. She met the girls' families and talked to local people as she planned the garden. The result is "a peaceful and tranquil" space, Ms Fenton said, with five upstanding stones as a focal point to represent the five girls who lost their lives. It also includes a water feature and seated areas.
The garden was funded by a Dublin businessman who wants to remain anonymous.
