To Jim, Louise, Clare and Anthony, A Chairde,  In these dark moments of unspeakable grief I just want to thank you for the wonderful gift of your most precious and darling son and brother, Séamus. What a privilege to have known him, to have been insipired by him. What an honour to have had him as a friend, a colleague, a gentle driving force who got so many things done without fuss or fanfare. A true Gael who loved his Gaelic games – and how he loved his Irish language. The surname ‘McVeigh – ‘Mac a’ Bheatha’ means ‘Son of Life’. How aptly named. Your wonderful Séamus was the life and soul of everything he touched, of everyone who had the privilege to meet and know him, who breathed new life into so many aspects of life. He was larger than life, a gentle giant who saw nothing only new life, new horizons, new challenges, new beginnings. Go raibh míle maith agaibh, Jim, Louise, Clare agus Anthony.

Brí na beatha

curtha go domhain

i mbroinn ár mbeo,

a thiocfaidh chun bláth

na beatha

i mbuanchuimhne

ort, a Sheamuis,

Mac a’ Beatha,

Mac dílis ionúin,

Mac ár mBeatha

(The strength/meaning of life

deeply sown

in the womb of our lives

to come to bloom

in life

in eternal memory

of your, James,

Son of Life.

faithful, darling son,

Son of our Life)

Mairfidh do chuimhne buan inár gcroithe, a Shéamuis. Míle altú do Dhia as aithne a chur ort agus as gach a ndearna tú ar ár son. (You will be forever remembered in our hearts, Séamus. Thank God for having known you and for everything you have done for us). Áiméin.