The community of Cushinstown was united in grief last week following the devastating death of a much-loved young man in a drowning accident. Kevin Byrne (22) from Ballymacar drowned in a tragic accident in the River Barrow in Graiguenamanagh shortly after 6pm on Wednesday evening, while out swimming with friends. Huge numbers of mourners gathered in St Mary's Church in Cushinstown on Saturday afternoon to bid a fond farewell to the popular young man. Kevin was the youngest child of Anna and Willie Byrne from Ballymacar, with one brother Brian and one sister Sinead. He was a talented young hurler, who played corner back with the Cushinstown Senior Hurling Team. Kevin was involved with the Cushinstown GAA Club since he was aged ten and played football with the club as a child before focusing more on hurling. As a mark of respect to the esteemed player and clubmate, a Guard of Honour was formed by the GAA Club and by the Cushinstown Camogie and Ladies Football Club at his removal on Friday evening to St Mary's Church. His team mates from the Senior Hurling Team formed another Guard of Honour at his Funeral Mass on Saturday afternoon, which was celebrated by Fr Jimmy Curtis, the former Parish Priest of Clongeen. During the moving ceremony, a pheasant shooting magazine and a sliotar were offered up as gifts representing his life. Kevin's friends did the readings and the Prayers of The Faithful during the mass. Poignantly Kevin would have celebrated his 23rd birthday in just a few weeks time on July 14. Kevin was educated locally in Cushinstown National School and the Good Counsel College before studying Construction Economics in Waterford Institute of Technology, which he graduated from in 2006. He had been working as a Quantity Surveyor with JK Concreting in Bree for the past year and had plans to return to WIT in September for further his education. Aside from GAA, his other great interests in life were shooting and fishing with his friends. He simply loved the great outdoors. He was a vibrant and lively young man, who was full of life and loved to spend time with his loving family and friends, of which he had many. Kevin is deeply regretted by his loving parents Anna and Willie, his brother Brian, sister Sinead, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and many friends. May he rest in peace. Wexford People, 10th June 2009 Tweet

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