The community of Milltown in Co Cavan came together on Saturday to bid a final farewell to author Nell Saffron Raven and her 10-year-old daughter Irena, known as Ira, who died following a tragic two-car collision.
The shared wicker coffin of Nell, 53, and Ira was carried into St Patrick's Church, Milltown to the sound of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah', a favourite of Nell and her husband Alexandru. A framed photograph of the mother and daughter was placed on top of the coffin, according to the Irish Mirror.
A Family Devastated by a Sudden Loss
Former journalist and writer Nell, originally from the UK, had recently been granted Irish citizenship. She and Ira, who lived in Gortnacleigh, Milltown, Belturbet, Co Cavan, perished after a two-car collision on Friday, July 24 on the R162 at Corclare, Sherlock. Nell passed away shortly after the crash, while Ira died on Tuesday, July 28 at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street Hospital.
In a heartbreaking detail shared during the funeral Mass, mourners heard how Ira gave the gift of life to four children through organ donation. The young girl, described as a "kind, creative and joyful little girl" who embraced music, Irish dancing and life in Co Cavan, will be remembered for her generosity even in death.
Father's Emotional Tribute
Chief mourners included Nell's husband and Ira's father Alexandru, daughters Eveline Margalla Kemp and Violet Elizabeth Kemp, parents Erik Raven and Christina Smith, and Nell's sisters Daisy Raven and Poppy Sharrock. Struggling to contain his emotions, Alexandru told those gathered that while he was "not a storyteller", his wife had always possessed that gift.
He recalled meeting Nell in Oxford in 2013, saying: "When I met Nell, she already had two girls of her own, Eveline and Violet. They were very sweet kids, bright and gorgeous. It didn't take too long and soon after I became the fourth member of their family."
Alexandru revealed that Ira was born in 2016 at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. The family lived happily in Oxford and later near Southampton, until Nell decided she wanted to relocate to Ireland, telling him it was the finest place for writers. In 2019, the whole family took the ferry from the UK to Ireland.
Settling in Cavan
"It was very hard at the beginning but when the pandemic started in March 2020, we fell in love with a very old cottage in Cavan," he said. "We didn't hesitate in buying it and we made it our new home and from there on, we had a very happy life together."
Honouring Nell as a talented writer, devoted mother and cancer survivor, Alexandru described Ira as a "kind, creative and joyful little girl" with a passion for music and Irish dancing. He admitted he could not comprehend the significance of their deaths, asking: "Is there any justice, or is there any meaning of what happened? I do not know. But perhaps, like in all stories, not just the beginning, or the middle, or the end but the whole story is all that matters."
He concluded his heartfelt tribute by reciting Dylan Thomas' 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night', a poem his wife had held dear.
Symbols of Love and Memory
Meaningful symbols and personal belongings of both Nell and Ira were placed at the altar during the funeral Mass. These included a book by George Orwell, Nell's most inspirational writer, alongside Ira's favourite teddy, 'Ratty', her comfort toy. A vase of dried flowers that Alex had gifted Nell on Valentine's Day was also displayed, as well as Ira's dancing shoes that had earned her a place on the Late Late Toy Show.
Ira's closest friend and classmate, Liam Connolly, shared fond memories of their friendship. He recalled attempting to build a fort together before promptly demolishing it with stones, battles with water pistols, and a sleepover during which they gleefully hurled their teddies as high as they could manage. Liam also remembered playing chess with Ira, and how she had hidden the king piece outside "because she was fed up playing chess with me."
"Ira was one of my best friends and I will miss her a lot," Liam told those gathered to mourn.
Final Farewell and Burial
The coffin was carried out of St Patrick's Church to the sound of Ira's beloved song 'Hey Brother' by Avicii. The burial subsequently took place at Drumlane Cemetery, where mother and daughter were laid to rest together.
The tragedy has left the local community in shock, with many expressing their condolences to the Raven family. The funeral service was a testament to the impact Nell and Ira had on those around them, and the love they shared as a family.
