'Warrior' Cian laid to rest in Clon Fourteen-year-old Cian Holland lost his battle against cancer on Sunday, January 22, leaving behind heartbroken parents, brothers and extended family and scores of devastated fellow students and staff at Clonakilty Community College. Large crowds attended the funeral services, numbed that one so young had been taken in his prime. Less than a year ago, Cian was a typical healthy, happy teenager, active in a range of sports and excelling in academic activities at school. Last week, the community came out to pay their respects and support his shattered family who in the words of his brother Gearoid at the funeral Mass will never forget him. Cian's classmates in second year, his teachers and the wider student and staff body at Clonakilty Community College mourned their friend's loss at the school. Cian spent the last few days of his short life at Cork University Hospital where he had been visited by school chaplain Fr. Chris O'Donovan and principal Paddy Duggan over the weekend. Throughout his illness, they had also called to see him at Crumlin and St. Luke's Hospitals in Dublin on a number of occasions, as well as at the family home in Ballymacowen. Students and staff alike were upset as they arrived to school on Monday, knowing that Cian had died the previous day. School years were visited by key teachers and given time out to reflect and remember their friend. The students set up a "grotto" in the assembly area where a candle was lit in front of a photo of their friend, and a bunch of daffodils placed beside it. A book of condolences where students could write their thoughts and memories quickly filled up. Fr. Chris organised a prayer service and second year head teacher Marian O'Leary was, in the words of principal Paddy Duggan, "a tower of strength to the students in these difficult days". Art teacher Deirdre White helped Cian's classmates with the making of a "Memory Tree" in which they wrote their one worded thoughts of their friend. On Tuesday, the Holland family accommodated the second year students who were able to visit the funeral home that after noon with teachers to pray and say their farewells to Cian in their own private way. That evening, these same students stood in a silent guard of honour in the biting cold, dressed in school uniforms and some in the red and green jersey of Clonakilty as the cortege made the short journey from the funeral home to the parish church. On Wednesday, the church was almost full when the college chaplain Fr. Chris O'Donovan was the chief celebrant at the Funeral Mass. Students and teachers from the college, as well as several of Cian's former teachers from Scoil na mBuachailli and the general public, joined in the pain of loss felt by Cian's family. The St. Patrick's Brass Band, made up of Clonakilty Community College students and conducted by Ger Condon, played the music, with Deirdre Hayes singing solos. Niall O'Rourke (teacher) and John Kingston (classmate and friend) read the lessons. In his homily, Fr. Chris outlined how Cian had been such an all-rounder at school and popular with everyone. He excelled academically, doing well in exams, and had bright prospects. He loved sports of all kinds and had the medals to prove it - football, soccer, basketball, table tennis, and much more. At Scoil na mBuachailli, he was a crafty chess player and did well in orienteering. He also had a passion for music and was in one of the bands in the college - "The Essential Roundabout" - playing guitar. Fr. Chris said that Cian was diagnosed with a brain tumour on March 25 last year. Coincidentally, it was Good Friday, and he reflected that, as Jesus carried his cross to Calvary, another cross was being placed on young Cian Holland's shoulder that day that he would carry for the following nine months. He never complained during his illness, but bore it with bravery and good humour, even when in pain. He was prayerful, frightening all the way. "He was a Warrior", said Fr. Chris, as he remembered how he inspired him by his determination in the face of great odds. Had he lived to a normal life span, he would have no doubt been a very successful human being. He also remembered Cian's heartbroken parents, Aidan and Rose, and brothers, Gearoid, Tadhg and Aidan, Jnr. They all loved the baby of the family dearly, who had left them with many precious memories. Fr. Chris spoke of Rose's devotion to her beloved son. Since his illness began, she had never left his side accompanying him to whatever hospital he had to go to and being with him for the duration of the stay. Family members read the Prayers of the Faithful and brought the gifts to the altar which included some of Cian's prized possessions - his red and green Clonakilty G.A.A. jersey, his chess trophy and a guitar string signifying his love of music. The bread and wine were presented by his parents, Aidan and Rose. At the end of Mass, Cian's brother, Gearoid, thanked everyone who had and cared for his young brother during his illness and the many people who had supported the family over the difficult months. Paying tribute to his baby brother, he concluded that he would never be forgotten by his family. The cortege was accompanied from the churchyard to St. Mary's Cemetery by a guard of honour made up of community college, students, staff and parents' association members, led by principal Paddy Duggan, teachers from Scoil na mBuachailli, led by principal Barth Harrington, and under-age G.A.A. and rugby players, dressed in Cian's red and green. Fr. Chris led the prayers at the graveside as the Holland family laid their treasured son and brother to rest in the presence of hundreds of people - young and old - whom he touched during his all-too-short fourteen years on this earth. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam. Courtesy of The Southern Star 4 February 2006 Tweet

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