The week leading up to February 10 was a terrible week of intense emotions. Feeling of sadness, uncertainty, fear and sheer panic united a close group of friends in Galway and after an extensive, country-wide search, the body of Mags Berry was found in Galway.
Mags was a genuine and memorable city character and a much loved friend. She was the glittering dancing queen of the West End and and jewel among her among many groups of friends. Although small in stature, Mags had a huge personality and a smile to match. She cut a memorable figure around the city and as they say, she was known and loved by all. She had a difficult journey in her short life and yet had amassed a fortune in love and friendship. A true measure of anyone’s worth.
The effort involved in bringing Mags home was immense and we, her friends would like express our deepest gratitude to everyone who got involved. The compassion, determination and support shown by her friends, families and the people of Galway was a powerful testament to how a community can come together in a time of need.
The following businesses deserve a special word of gratitude for their help and good will. Thank you to Snap Printers for printing all the missing posters and the beautiful photo boards for the funeral. Thanks also to iSupply, Print That, Cantec & Standard Printers too for help in printing up posters and flyers. A thank you also to Paddy Galvin of Signs Ahead Galway for his help and the corriboards he produced for us.
A special, heart filled, massive thank you goes out to all the people who braved the wind and rain everyday relentlessly to search for our friend. The weather didn’t deter these people as they put up posters, handed out flyers and raised awareness of our missing Mags. People from all over the country and indeed from beyond Irish shores showed huge support and compassion in this effort. The search campaign, although short, was nationwide and this was only achieved through the power and determination of the people.
We want to give a huge thanks to Barry Breen of Galway Dog Training who worked tirelessly and gave his time voluntarily to help us find Mags. Thank you also to dog handler Lucy Callaly and her beautiful dog Asha. Without them all we wouldn’t have been able to bring Mags home. We ask that people support Galway Dog Training and their amazing work in any way they can. You can find them at www.galwaydogtraining.net
We want to acknowledge Keith Finnegan and the team at Galway Bay FM for highlighting our search on the airwaves. Thank you also to The Galway Advertiser and the many other media outlets who helped share the message. Thank you to Social Democrats election candidate Niall O Tuathail who was very kind and welcoming to us also. We would like to recognise the wonderful work of Cope Galway in their support of women in Galway.
A heart felt thank you to O’Flaherty’s funeral home for being so kind and accommodating in making the funeral arrangements. Thank you to Fr. Albert Leonard O.P. at St. Mary’s Church, Claddagh for the beautiful Requiem Mass and Fr Denis Murphy O.P. for the prayers at the removal. We would like to thank musician Frankie Colohan who played beautiful music at Mags’ mass.
Thank you to Áras Na Geal of Dominic Street who helped us hold a wonderful event in celebration of Mags’ life and to all the people who helped us organise the venue, the decor, all the fantastic catering and wonderful music too.
Finally, to all Mags’ friends and family near and far, your kindness and offers of help however big or small were an inspiration during a most difficult time and were all gratefully accepted. Mags’ friends were the most important people in her life and she in turn was the most important friend in many of their lives. We are all absolutely devastated at our loss. Our thoughts are with her family at this time.
This week as Galway lost a precious daughter, mother earth gained a beautiful flower, the universe gained a dynamic energy and the dark night sky welcomed the brightest, most dazzling star.
Farewell Lady Mags and Rest In Peace. We will bring you with us the rest of the way.
If you have been effected by a bereavement of any kind or feel the need to talk to someone about what you’re felling. Don’t feel alone. please contact the Samaritans (confidentially ) at 091 561222 or 116 123. Please visit console.ie and/or pieta.ie for more info on how to deal with your feelings at this time.
