A STREAM of white Rolls Royce limousines ferried the remains of a Rathkeale man, who died in a tragic car incident last week, to his final resting place this past Tuesday (February 25).
Patrick Kealy, who died unexpectedly while driving a car on Tuesday of last week (February 18), was waked by a mass of mourners from Limerick City to his native Rathkeale.
A video shared on social media showed a large cortège travelling through the city with car registration plates emblazoned with “Big Bob, King of the Kealy’s”.
It’s understood Mr Kealy, who was in his 60s, of Fairhill, Rathkeale, may have suffered a sudden medical emergency while driving a car at Lower Main Street in Rathkeale on the day of his passing.
In a wave of online tributes to the late Rathkeale man, one mourner wrote that “Patrick was a great Limerick charismatic character, known to us over 40 years”.
“He was a born businessman and so knowledgeable on antique furniture, a dying breed, we will not see his like again.
“He will be greatly missed by all in Rathkeale.”
Another wrote: “What a character, I had many a good chat with the lovely gentleman.”
Mr Kealy’s remains were removed from Thompson’s Funeral Home in Thomas Street in Limerick City to St Mary’s Church in Rathkeale for the funeral mass on Tuesday.
The venue hosting his post-funeral gathering was adorned with mementos from Mr Kealy’s life, including large pictures of the late Rathkeale man toasting with a pint of Guinness, a cup of tea, and a pack of Silk Cut cigarettes.
Mr Kealy, survived by his wife Breda, sons Michael, Tunny, Patrick, David, Thomas, and daughters, Connie and Crystal, was laid to rest in Rathkeale New Cemetery.
