DAVITT

DAVITT (CAHIR F.) (Died on April 8, 2005) - Words cannot fully express how our children Doreen, Cahir Timothy, Fiona and I, Helen (Cahir's wife) feel towards the innumerable people who extended their sympathies, supported and cared for us upon the death of Cahir - a dearly loved husband, father, brother and friend. We all miss him profoundly, but are fortified by the knowledge that he touched upon the life's of and was valued and appreciated by so many people, both through his professional career as a solicitor as well as by his family, extended families and colleagues. To the many who expressed their condolences by visiting our home at 'Eyrecourt', where his body lay in repose in his 'music room', in particular the Vincentian Priests and Nuns, those who sent Mass cards, everlasting gift cards, flowers, made phone calls, wrote to us or said a silent prayer, we thank you. A special 'thank you' to those who attended Mass celebrated in our home on Thurs April 14, the removal of his remains to the Church on Fri April 15 and also to those who were present at the concelebrated Requiem Mass on Saturday April 16. Thank you so very much to the many kind friends who travelled long distances to be with us. To our neighbours, some of who attended the friday evening ceremony at the Church before their Sabbath ceremonies at 6 pm, your presence was much appreciated. A very particular thanks to those who contributed so generously to Cancer Research and The Hospices. The recipients are extremely grateful and the money, I am assured will be put to good use. I would like to make a special mention of our eldest daughter Doreen, who on behalf of herself, Cahir Timothy and Fiona contributed such a beautiful and moving poem 'Papillon', written and designed by herself and read at the removal as a tribute of love to their Dad. Cahir, I know, would like me to extend very special thanks and appreciation to the Priests, (including those recently deceased) and friends we were privileged to have at our sides, who supported, loved and cared for us over the last four years of Cahir's illness, in particular his friend of over seventy years Dr. Robert (Bob) Towers. Cahir faced the difficult days with great courage, determination and prayer. Thank each of you for simply being you - constant in friendship, unfailing in kindness. So many times one can do very little, but the simple words 'I care' can help so much and give strength and comfort when very much needed. Fiona, thank you for your friends - so true to you, so good to me! Without each of you, Cahir's final journey would have been even more arduous. Now Cahir is finally at peace, free forever from pain, and his earthly remains rest in Dean's Grange Cemetery. Sincere thanks to the Provincial The Very Rev. Kevin O'Shea C.M. and the Vincentian Community, who prayed daily for us. To Very Rev. Ciarán O'Carroll P.P. (Saggart) who devotedly ministered to Cahir throughout his illness and to whom Cahir requested just three weeks before his death, the final Sacraments of the dying. Fr. Ciarán gave Cahir the peace to go 'Home to God'. Thank you Fr. Ciarán for praying for him as he lay in repose in our home and for concelebrating his Requiem Mass. To our Retired Parish Priest Very Rev. Patrick Canon Fitzsimons (Pastor Emeritus), who anointed Cahir within minutes of his death on the 8th April, he too, prayed daily at his bedside during the week and celebrated Mass here in our home on Thursday April 14, he also concelebrated at the Requiem Mass - our special thanks. Both these Priests said Cahir's month's mind Mass Saturday May 7 in Rathcoole, Tuesday May 10 in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Churchtown. To all the Priests who so generously gave of their precious time to participate at the Removal ceremony which was led by Rev. Frank Mullen C.M. and those who concelebrated the Requiem Mass - the Chief Celebrant being Cahir's brother Rev. Tom Davitt C.M., in particular Very Rev. Kevin O'Shea who gave the beautiful Homily, also to Fr. Frank C.M. and Fr Ciarán P.P. who prayerfully laid Cahir's earthly remains to rest - our immense gratitude. An individual word of thanks to Cahir's cousin, Rev. Stan Brindley C.M. To the Vincentian Nuns, in particular Blackrock, where Fr. Tom C.M. is Chaplain and Navan Road, where Fiona teaches and the Domincan Sisters who were present - thank you. To the Soloist's at the Removal Ann Devin (Soprano) and Cormac Brady (Organist) and to Cormac who was joined by Norah King (Mezzo Soprano) and Linda O'Connor (Violinist) at the Requiem Mass for their very special and moving tribute to Cahir, in music he loved so much. A special thanks to treasured friends with 'healing hands' in particular our G.P. Dr. Michael Mehigan and to the Oncologist Dr. Michael Moriarty and his team, including the staff of our Oncology department at St. Vincents, Private Hispital and St. Lukes and the guiding help of the Doctors and staff of Our Lady's Hospice - thank you. To Michael Curran and all the staff at Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, thank you for their tribute to Cahir, including the lowering of their flag, but thank you also for your kindness to both of us over many years, in particular during the last years and weeks of Cahir's life. To the Concert Hall staff and our friends there, whom we have known since 1981, who helped so wonderfully and unobtrusively to care for him at Concerts - a very sincere thank you. Since our children were small we visited 'Straide' in Mayo regularly, Cahir was there again just shortly before his death. So we warmly thank Nancy Smith for her presence at the Funeral Ceremonies, and for offering us her condolences on her own behalf and on behalf of the people who put so much work into the care of the Michael Davitt Museum. To Fanagans for their kindness and understanding - thank you. We have in the intervening six months since Cahir's death sought to thank individually as many people as we possibly can. There were others there, but I cannot make out names or trace addresses, so should we inadvertently overlook gratitude to anyone, Doreen, Cahir Timothy, Fiona and I, Helen, offer and hope you will accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deep gratitude to you all. Mass has been celebrated of all of you, with deep appreciation of your kindness and support. Cahir rests now eternally in the peace and happiness of God, and is now where one day we too, hope to be."Love Endureth Forever".