The funeral of cousins Louise and Veronica McAloon took place in Co Monaghan yesterday.
The girls died on New Year's Eve after falling through ice on Hollywood lake, near Scotstown, Co Monaghan. The villages of Ballinode, Tydavnet and Scotstown came to a standstill as the cortege passed. Around 1,000 people attended the funeral.
Children from Scotstown Ladies' Gaelic Club, Killycarn Foroige Club and pupils from Aghabog National School flanked the single hearse which carried the two coffins to St Mary's Church in Urbleshanny for the service. The cousins were buried together.
Local curate Father Martin Treanor and other clergy from the region took part in the service.
Among the attendance were Col Brendan O'Reilly, representing the President, Mrs McAleese, Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon MEP, councillors Mr Seymour Crawford and Mr Francie Boylan and Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain TD.
Many leading GAA figures were also present, including the president, Mr Sean McCague, who is from Scotstown.
Father Treanor said the two cousins were best friends and shared many interests. They also loved to go walking in the countryside and shared a love of Hollywood lake. It was, he said, ironic and tragic that the lake where the girls had spent so many hours had taken their lives.
Father Treanor also told the packed church, and the many listening outside on speakers, that he understood people felt angry and confused at these deaths. But, he said, people can only pray and hope for comfort.
He added that Veronica and Louise were both bright cheerful girls. Veronica had been born in Chicago and had returned with her family to live in Aghabog. Her younger brother Sean (5) had said to Father Treanor on Tuesday that he would "remember Veronica as always happy".
Louise McAloon had started secondary school in St Louis Convent, Monaghan, in September but had already become a popular pupil and was very active in school affairs.