Families of Irish teenagers who died on Greek island reveal funerals will be held at the same church

The families of the two Irish teenagers who died on the Greek holiday island of Ios have revealed details of their funeral arrangements – while paying a poignant tribute to the boys.

Thousands are expected to attend the services which will both be held at the same Dublin church, The Church of the Sacred Heart Donnybrook, but on different occasions.

The first funeral, on Monday, is for Max Wall, who collapsed and died after a day of searching for his friend Andrew O’Donnell.

Max’s family said that with his death, “the world has lost a bit of color.”

In a funeral notice, they said, “With a larger than life personality, Max brought great joy to the lives of his family and friends and everyone he came into contact with.

“During his short time, he faced numerous challenges which he endured with great courage and bravery, always remaining his most positive, sunny, fun self.

“Max, to the unimaginable grief of his parents Niall & Fiona, adored bigger brother Charlie, grandson of Nuala Wall and Fiona’s father Carl Laverty will be greatly missed by his aunts, uncles, cousins ​​and friends, especially those of St Michael’s College.”

His funeral Mass will be followed by burial at Kilternan Cemetery Park.

The second service for Andrew, who died after a fall, will take place two days later, next Wednesday at the same church, followed by a private family cremation.

Andrew’s family said, “Our beloved Andrew has left this world much too soon. Andrew died unexpectedly, leaving a void that can never be filled.

Andrew brought immense joy to the lives of his family, friends and everyone who knew him.

“He possessed a lively mind, a kind heart and a sense of humor that brightened the darkest days. He was known for his passion for sports, his football talents, his charming demeanor and his love for his two golden retrievers, Marnie & Maisie.

“He was unfailingly loyal to his friends and relatives, in Ireland and England, and in his short time with us has influenced the lives of so many, including those with whom he shared experiences at St. Matthew’s National School, St. Michael’s College Secondary School , Old Belvedere RFC and Belmont FC.’

The family said the teen’s death, who fell off a rocky path and was found dead in a gully, had brought “unspeakable grief” to his parents Bebhinn and Gavin, and older brother Rory.

His passing was strongly mourned by his relatives, including aunts, uncles, cousins ​​in both Ireland and England and a wide circle of friends, but “particularly the Leaving Cert Class of 2023.”

It comes after moving footage revealed Irish students formed a guard of honor as the bodies of their two friends left the Greek island of Ios.

Dozens of students lined a road leading to the harbor as the bodies of Andrew and Max were taken on a ferry to Athens for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

With heads bowed solemnly, many of the youths were students at St Michael’s College, Dublin, where the two young men were studying.

They were part of a larger group of students from schools across Ireland. They were on vacation after their exams to Ios to mark the end of their high school.

Some students placed yellow roses on the hearses of the two students as a token of their friendship, while others wept as their bodies were taken from Ios Health Center to the port a short distance away on Tuesday.

Andrew and Max’s parents were also in Ios and accompanied their coffins to Athens.

Greek officials revealed that initial findings showed Andrew died after falling and sustaining a head injury. His body was discovered early Sunday afternoon on a rocky slope near the port area.

Max is said to have had a heart attack an hour later after hearing the news while walking in the harbor area and collapsed at the entrance of an alley.

Officials said toxicology tests will also be conducted. Andrew is said to have spent a night out with friends in Hora, which is full of bars and clubs selling cheap drinks, before being separated from them.

He went missing early Saturday and was discovered on a rocky slope meters from a hospital and a busy main road more than 24 hours after he was first reported missing.

His body was found in undergrowth just below a popular five-star hotel overlooking the port of Ios. It is one of the busiest places on the popular Greek holiday island – an area that the Greek police had already searched but failed to find.

The desperate search of the island also involved his classmates.

Max was found at the entrance of an alley near the town’s harbor.