‘Two beautiful and kindred souls’ - Mayo mother and daughter laid to rest after horror crash

The late Aisling Moore and her daughter Abbigael Moore-Tournié have been described as ‘two beautiful and kindred souls’ and ‘the best of friends’ at their Funeral Mass this afternoon. 

Swinford came to a standstill as the mother and daughter, who died in a road accident on Tuesday, were laid to rest in Swinford Cemetery. 

Stephen Moore, brother of Aisling Moore, described the grief felt by the family since their passing as ‘nigh unbearable’. 

Aisling and Abbiegael were killed in a road accident involving a truck while travelling on the N26.

Large crowds descended on Swinford on Friday and today (Saturday) to pay their respects to the mother and daughter, who were well known-in both Kiltimagh and Swinford. 

Speaking at their Funeral Mass in Our Lady Help of Christians Church, Swinford, this afternoon, Stephen Moore described Aisling and Abbiegael as ‘two beautiful and kindred souls’.

“Aisling and Abbigael were adored as the grief that we are feeling here today is nigh unbearable,” said Stephen.

“Aisling and Abbigael’s love for each other and our love for them is so clearly evident here today in our grief and in our tears and in our mourning of the passing of two beautiful and kindred souls, a besotted mother and a revering child.

“Anyone who knows Aisling and Abbigael knows that where there was one; there was the other. They were a mother and a daughter, but also a dynamic duo - the best of friends, confidants, consiglieres, a comedy duo and everything to each other.

“What has happened here is an absolute tragedy but I take some comfort, and would ask that you do the same, in thinking that as they were so very much in life, so shall they be in their passing, together, forever in eternity.”

Stephen added that “everyone could see so much of Aisling in Abbigael. Her charisma, her warmth, her confidence, her athleticism, her passion for drama, acting and comedy, her enthusiasm and willingness to try new things and meet new people, her love of dance and song and poetry and people and languages and even makeup”

Aisling was a member of Clann Machua Drama Group in Kiltimagh while Abbiegael played football with Kiltimagh LGFA and was a member of Swinford AC.

The three groups paid glowing tributes to Aisling and Abbiegael following their passing. 

_{Mourners follow follow Aisling Moore and her daughter Abbigael Moore-Tournié through Swinford (Pic: Conor McKeown)}

Stephen described his sister as possessing ‘a rare fearlessness and bravery’ and as someone who was ‘in her heart an artist and adventurer, a pioneer and was never afraid to reinvent herself or her work, where she lived, and be contrarian to norms’. 

He said that Aisling ‘inspired and encouraged’ her eight-year-old daughter’ to excel and seize life’

“Anyone who knew Abbigael knew that she was the brightest of stars and together they were blinding,” he added.

“Aisling and Abbigael will be missed by so many people, clubs and societies, Kiltimagh town hall theatre, the Swinford Athletic Club, the GAA Club, ECM Dance, the teachers and staff at St Aidan’s National School in Kiltimagh and all of their friends and family in Swinford, Kiltimagh, Bohola, Straide and the surrounding areas and in London and France. 

Stephen also extended thanks on behalf of the family to Fr Dermot Meehan, Parish Priest of Swinford, to gardaí and first responders who attended Aisling and Abbiegael, and all who had supported and helped the family in recent days. 

The funeral was also addressed by Abbigael’s father, Arnaud, who said his daughter and her mother shared ‘an unbreakable bond’. 

“Your smile is forever etched in my heart,” said Arnaud in a poignant tribute to his daughter

“Today I weep for those who will  never have the privilege of knowing you. You had so much to give.

“Abbigael, my little princess, [you] were already an angel on earth. Now you are an angel among the brightest stars.”

Members of the public lined the streets as a mark of respect as the funeral proceeded from the church to Swinford Cemetery. 

A rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ was performed on the pipes as Aisling and Abbiegael were laid to their eternal rest. 

Aisling and Abbigael are survived by Abbigael’s father Arnaud, her half-sister Aleksia, her French grandparents Jean Yves and Michéle Tourniém, Aisling's parents Eamon and Noreen, brothers Eddie, Stephen and sister Anita, sisters-in-law Louise and Charline and brother-in-law Declan, nieces, nephews and all their extended and family, neighbours and friends.

May their souls rest in peace.