The funeral of farmer Michael Gaine in Kenmare this morning heard he was “a proud Kerry man” and “an even prouder Kenmare man”, who had “a truly beautiful relationship” with his wife Janice, and could be both fearless and caring.
The beloved sheep farmer (56) was first reported missing on 21 March, and Gardaí are treating his death as a homicide. Eight weeks after his disappearance, human remains found at farmland in Co Kerry were identified as being those of Mr Gaine.
Mourners packed Holy Cross Church in Kenmare to pay their final respects to Mr Gaine, and to support his family, and heard from those who knew and loved the popular farmer who was described as a “loving son, sibling and uncle.”
Parish Priest of Kenmare Fr George Hayes said that Kenmare was a place of enchanting beauty, but said that into their “peaceful, idyllic, sylvan existence” came something terrible.
‘Today we recover Michael’s dignity,” he said. “Over these weeks, since Michael went missing, we’ve asked so many questions – and, in life, sometimes, there are no answers,” he told mourners.
“But in the best tradition of Irish funerals, today is a day for recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine. Today we recover Michael’s dignity because, today, we speak Michael’s name with love,” he said.
“Today, too, we gather to acknowledge Michael as someone who loved much and was much loved,” the parish priest said.
Mr Gaine’s cousin, Eoghan Clarke, had been asked by Michael’s wife, Janice, to say some words to remember Michael and said he was “absolutely honoured to be able to do so”.
“Michael was a proud man. A proud Kerryman and an even prouder Kenmare man. He was born in Kenmare in 1968 and lived here all of his life. He was raised by two incredible parents, Jimmy and Sheila, who instilled in him their incredible work ethic, personality and humour for which Mike was so well known. He had a great relationship with his parents and worked alongside them both (and in more recent times with Sheila). Michael was a loving son,” he said.
“He was the eldest of three children and he had two loving sisters – Noreen and Catherine who also inherited Jimmy and Sheila’s work ethic and who Michael loved dearly. He was a loving uncle to Emma, Rachel, Jamie and Mark and while I we can’t even scratch the surface of all the lovely stories that his sisters, nieces and nephews will have of Michael, I know that he was always delighted to spend time and to share his interests with them.”
He said that Michael and Janice “enjoyed one another’s company in every scenario” and his wife often described him as a “true man”.
“He was soft and loving. Caring and affectionate. Kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong. He was strong mentally and, as anyone who ever tried to follow him up the mountain in wellies will know, he was strong physically too,” his cousin said.
“As we all know, Michael was generous. Incredibly generous. He had time for everyone and would chip in to help any time and any place,” he said. “Michael seemed to always find the time to do the work of three men on his own farm, help out friends, family and neighbours, keep up to speed on current affairs and enjoy himself.”
“He loved life, he always made the most of it and he truly lived every single moment.”
“We will all miss Michael terribly. I know I’ll miss our phone calls the most, as well as that happy feeling that Michael gave you when you were with him. He was always the glue that held the Rally of the Lakes weekend together and I will always look back very fondly on our adventures to the best spectating spots in Kerry.”
Other family members and friends brought up mementoes of Mr Gaine’s s of Mike’s life and his interests – including a photo of Mike on his quad – on his 1000-acre farm, with his faithful cavalier dog Teddy.
“He was a hard-working farmer who took great care of his cows, calves, sheep, lambs, sheepdogs and his farm. He loved visiting the Mart – chatting with everyone and enjoying banter with his friends,” the funeral heard.
Another family friend, David Doran, brought up a photo of Saint Michael the Archangel – and the congregation heard “Saint Michael symbolises divine protection and strength and was a spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil. He is considered a champion of justice.”
“Mike Gaine was a strong character who loved people and their stories. He was generous and big-hearted and never refused to assist anyone who needed help. He saw good in everyone and always stood up for justice. Like Saint Michael there was not an evil bone in Mike Gaine’s body.”
Fr Hayes said that: “Neidín, Ceann Mara, Kenmare is a place of enchanting beauty. The soft green hills protect us from the winter gales. Kenmare bay sparkles with the cleanest of water. Moss and ferns grow under our feet. As you drive toward Moll’s Gap from Killarney, on a summer evening, the mountains captivate you as they seem to be stacked behind each other.”
“And into this, our peaceful, idyllic, sylvan existence, something terrible has come. We are discommoded and feel at a loss. Over these weeks, since Michael went missing, we have asked so many questions – and, in life, sometimes, there are no answers.”
“But in the best tradition of Irish funerals, today is a day for recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine. Today we recover Michael’s dignity because, today, we speak Michael’s name with love. And it is the dignity of Michael’s life, and not the manner of Michael’s death, that will abide in our hearts. Here in this place, today, we recover Michael’s dignity. We speak Michael’s name with love.”
“Today, too, we gather to acknowledge Michael as someone who loved much and was much loved – for Janice, Michael’s wife, and for Noreen and Catherine, Michael’s sisters, and for Michael’s extended family and for Michael’s many loyal and faithful friends, today, we recall with love Michael’s memory.”
“Michael loved people. He loved farming and animals. He loved travel and adventure – as Eoghan told us, Michael enjoyed Verdi’s great opera Aida in the stunning amphitheatre of Verona – but, being a clever Kerryman, Mike had enough sense not to discuss that wonderful spectacle at the mart! Mike loved rallying and banter and chat and the daily human encounters. He was kind and good-natured. So, for all that was good in Michael’s life, we come to honour Mike and give thanks to God. We speak Mike’s name with love. And as we do at every Catholic funeral, we come too to commend Mike to our God of infinite love and mercy. Mike wouldn’t be the one to say that he was perfect – like all of us, he had his foibles and imperfections. So at this Mass, we pray that God will forgive Mike any of his human failings and welcome him into a place of light and of peace.”
The prayers for the faithful heard from a family friend who offered prayers for “the Gardaí and detectives and all the agencies who supported them since we lost Mike. May they continue to be enlightened as they search for answers”, in addition to prayers for the family.
Hymns at Mr Gaine’s funeral included Ag Críost an Síol, Ár nAthair and Here I am Lord.