One in a million Dingle mourns untimely loss of a World Championship medal winner "One in a million" is how family and friends described Dingle man Peter Ashe (30) who was laid to rest in St. Brendan's Cemetery. Peter had a life-saving liver transplant in 2001 and recovered to a win a silver medal at the World Transplant Games in the badminton doubles competition. He was an inspirational and much-loved figure among his peers. His untimely passing has broken many hearts and sent a sense of shock through the community in disbelief that his beloved person has gone. Peter, who celebrated his 30th birthday on February 8th, passed away in St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin last Saturday following a short illness. He had been due to marry his fiancee, Adrienne Carolan last this year. "He was an exceptional person", said former teacher and principal of Dingle CBS, Padraig Firtear. "He was academically excellent and was an accomplished sportsman but above all, a genuinely lovely person whose smile would light up any room." Peter Ashe was born on Ash Wednesday (February 8th) 1978, a fact he always found very amusing! He grew up in the Mall, Dingle, the youngest son of John and Collette Ashe. When Peter was twelve he was diagnosed with a serious liver complaint, Despite this he went on to excel in many sports, winning several medals in badminton and golf. A member of Ceann Sibeal GC, he held a handicap of six. He was also a keen footballer, playing at underage level with Dingle GAA and forming part of the Dingle CBS football team that won a number of titles, alongside his classmate and good friend, Kerry's Tomas O Se. Peter also excelled academically and was named Student of the Year the year he did his Leaving Cert. By the age of 17, Peter's condition deteriorated to the point where it became necessary to undertake a life-saving liver transplant which he received in June 2000. A year later, following a remarkable recovery, the brave Dingle man went on to represent Ireland in golf and badminton at the World Transport Games in Kobe, Japan where he and Dubliner, John Sinnott not silver for Ireland in the badmition doubles. It marked the beginning of a new life for Peter who went on to study law in UCC. He moved to Manchester where he worked in a legal practice and completed his legal studies at the Manchester Metropolitican University. He and Adrienne were engaged and had hoped to marry next June; however, late last year, Peter was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away peacefully in Dublin last Saturday following a short illness, bravely borne. Peter was brought home and waked in his home on the Mall last Monday. The hundreds of mourners that moved through Peter's home to pay theirn respectsn (among them the Ceann Comhairle, John O'Donoghue and Sean Haughey TD) bore testament to the impression Peter had made on those who were lucky enough to have known him. Requiem Mass took place on Tuesday morning where Peter was flanked by several guards of honour. An Taoiseach was represented at Mass by aide-de-camp, Michael Tracey. Burial took place afterwards in St .Brendan's Cemetery, Milltown (Dingle). Peter is survived by his partner, Adrienne, parents John and Collette, sister Sharon and brothers Kieran and Fenton, his extended family and many, many friends. Always smiling, always happy, always optimistic, Peter was a genuine gentleman who shunned advertity,achieving more in his short time on earth than most do ntheir entire lives. He will be sadly missed Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal dilis - Courtesy of The Kerry's Eye, 28th February 2008 Tweet

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