The community of Moville is mourning the loss of Tony Gillespie of Bredagh Glen, who passed away peacefully at Letterkenny University Hospital. According to family statements, Mr. Gillespie was surrounded by his loved ones during his final moments.
A husband, father and grandfather, Tony Gillespie is remembered as a cornerstone of his family. He is survived by his wife, Eileen, and their four children: Cathal (Michelle), Elaine (Mick), Shaun (Diane), and Carol (Thomas). His legacy continues through his eleven grandchildren—Shayne, Andrew, Faye, Christopher, Ellie, Sophie, Rhia, Aidan, Aaron, Cian, and Ronan.
The loss is deeply felt by a wide circle of relatives, including Jim, Anne, Charlie, Eugene, Marion, and Junior, as well as brothers-in-law John (Bridget Rose) and Bernard (Joan), and sister-in-law Mary (Con). He is further missed by his nieces, nephews, and the many friends and neighbors who knew him within the Inishowen Peninsula.
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
The arrangements for the farewell of Tony Gillespie of Bredagh Glen, Moville, involve a series of services across Carndonagh and Ballinacrae. On Saturday, April 4th, his remains will depart Eamonn McLaughlin’s Funeral Home on Station Road, Carndonagh, at 6 p.m. To be brought to his family home.
The final rites will take place on Tuesday, April 7th. The funeral procession will leave the family residence at 10:20 a.m., proceeding to St. Columba’s Church in Ballinacrae for a Requiem Mass at 11 a.m. Following the service, Mr. Gillespie will be interred in the adjoining cemetery.
For those unable to attend the service in person, the Requiem Mass will be streamed live via the Eamonn McLaughlin Funeral Directors Facebook Page, allowing the wider community and distant relatives to participate in the liturgy.
Timeline of Services
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 4 | 6:00 PM | Removal from Funeral Home | Station Road, Carndonagh |
| Tuesday, April 7 | 10:20 AM | Funeral Departure | Bredagh Glen, Moville |
| Tuesday, April 7 | 11:00 AM | Requiem Mass | St. Columba’s Church, Ballinacrae |
| Tuesday, April 7 | Post-Mass | Burial | Ballinacrae Cemetery |
A Legacy of Community and Faith
The proceedings at St. Columba’s Church in Ballinacrae reflect the deep ties the Gillespie family maintains within the local parish. In rural Donegal, these services often serve as vital touchstones for community cohesion, bringing together neighbors and extended kinship networks to support the bereaved.
The family has designated specific “family time” from 10 p.m. To 11 a.m., ensuring a private space for immediate relatives to grieve and reflect before the public components of the funeral proceedings. This practice is common in the region, balancing the public nature of Irish wakes with the need for familial intimacy.
Contributions to Local Healthcare
In lieu of traditional flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Friends of Letterkenny University Hospital. This charitable organization works to enhance patient care and provide essential equipment and facilities that supplement the standard funding of the public health system in County Donegal.
Donations can be coordinated through any member of the Gillespie family or directly through Eamonn McLaughlin Funeral Director. The request highlights the family’s gratitude for the care provided by the hospital staff during Mr. Gillespie’s final days.
Note: This article provides information regarding bereavement and funeral services. For those experiencing grief or loss, local counseling services and bereavement support groups are available through the HSE and community health centers.
The community now looks toward Tuesday’s Requiem Mass as the final official gathering to honor the life of Tony Gillespie. Further updates regarding memorial tributes or community gatherings may be shared by the family in the coming days.
We invite readers to share their memories of Tony or offer condolences to the Gillespie family in the comments section below.
