ADRIAN McNamara, the late husband of Limerick Euromillions jackpot winner Dolores McNamara, was a dedicated father and keen horse man, his funeral heard, today.
The funeral’s chief celebrant and parish priest of Killaloe, Fr James Grace, told Mr McNamara’s widow Dolores, and the couples six children, that the community’s thoughts and prayers were with them in their hour of grief.
Mr McNamara, in his late 60s, who was a bricklayer by trade, passed away following an illness last Thursday, surrounded by his family, at his son Lee’s residence in Killaloe.
His heartbroken widow Dolores, who wore a black outfit, dark shades, and a black face mask, was chaperoned into a sun-drenched St Flannan’s Church, after her husband’s wood coffin was carried waist-high from a hearse into the chapel by members of his family.
Mr McNamara’s immediate family were only allowed attend inside the church, due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings in public spaces, however a small group of mourners who kept keeping socially distanced, listened to the mass on speakers outside the church.
Mr McNamara’s daughter Dawn told the mass her family would miss terribly their “lovely” and “funny” Dad, who she said loved his family; his favourite holiday destination Turkey; Liverpool Football Club; and his home in Killaloe.
The mass also heard about Mr McNamara’s love of racehorses – an interest he could focus on more after his wife’s bumper lotto win, and how he “loved nothing better” than heading to a race meet hoping one of his own horses would win.
Mr McNamara was recovering from a triple heart by pass surgery in 2005 when his wife Dolores won a €115m Euromillions jackpot after purchasing a €2 Quickpick ticket near their home in Garryowen, Limerick city.
The couple had lived together at Lough Derg Hall, a vast property and estate in Ogonnolloe, overlooking Lough Derg, purchased from the proceeds of Ms McNamara’s bumper win.
The 10,000 sq ft hill-top property was purchased for €1.75m in 2005, after it reportedly had attracted the interest of Hollywood actor Robert De Niro.
The lavish country manor, boasting amazing lakeside views, at the end of a half-mile long private entrance, fronted by electric gates and an eight-foot high wall, is set on 38 acres, including a coach house.
The high-end property is a far cry from the modest 1,200 sq ft semi-detached family home the McNamara’s raised their six children from, on St Patrick’s Road, Limerick.
Friends said the couple’s lucky windfall did not particularly change them, especially Mr McNamara who, besides investing in a number of racehorses and a Spanish holiday home, had maintained a low profile.
“Adrian was a lovely fella, he was always very decent, and he didn’t let the money change him,” said an informed source.
“He had a few horses and he lived in a big house in Killaloe but he kept away from the limelight. He was always a hard worker too,” they added.
The poignant Liverpool FC soccer anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ played in the church as Mr McNamara’s coffin was shouldered out of the church after the mass, to a waiting hearse.
(NO Byline please Photograph Liam Burke/Press 2
Mr McNamara, who is survived by his wife Dolores and the couples sons Gary, Dean, Lee, and daughters Dawn, Kim and Kevanne, as well as nine grandchildren, was laid to rest afterwards at New Cemetery, Ogonnelloe, near the shores of Lough Derg.
