Christy Dignam’s family had been preparing for his funeral for years, heartbroken daughter Kiera revealed yesterday.
A private ceremony and cremation for the Aslan legend, attended by just his close family and friends, heard how much he was loved.
His beloved wife Kathryn, Kiera, and grandchildren Cian, Jake and Ava had earlier been applauded by crowds who gathered to pay their final respects to the iconic singer. Earlier this week Kiera told how her father had wanted a private funeral.
But she thanked the thousands of people for their messages of support since news of his death broke on Tuesday.
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Delivering the eulogy at Glasnevin cemetery she said: “I started writing this on the 11th of March.
“In my head, I’ve been writing it for 10 years but we got used to my Da giving us false alarms and going against every rule in the history of medical science...
“So I didn’t think I was ever actually going to have to finish it.
“Although the last 10 years, particularly the last year, have been very hard, we have been very lucky to have that time to make memories and have holidays and dinners and days that we can remember together. And although it will be tough for a while to listen to his music or watch a video we are privileged to have them for ever.”
Kiera recounted how Christy would regularly come home from gigs and stay up to do the night feeds for his grandkids.
She added: “He had a way of easing any situation. If I had a problem or needed advice he could always find a way or a small quote or piece of advice to make it better. He struggled to fix his own problems most of the time but never mine.”
Kiera, whose birth inspired the Aslan hit Crazy World, shared an insight into the special bond she and her father had shared through music.
She said: “The first time he heard me singing was the first time I heard him singing a song that wasn’t his own.
“It was at a karaoke in Portugal when I was 13. I sang Unbreak My Heart and Against All Odds by Phil Collins and he sobbed. He cried every single time he listened to me sing up until the last time he listened a few weeks ago.
“I didn’t think I was that bad but clearly by his trained ear I am.
He sang Whiter Shade Of Pale and Desperado.
“The girl running the karaoke came over after and was saying ‘my God you’re amazing you should be a singer’. He just said ‘ah thank you’. We said nothing.” Kiera also said Christy knew this day was coming and had discussed his final wishes with his family.
She sang, How Great Thou Art, as was his request as the curtain came down for the final time.
Earlier this week President Michael D Higgins said Christy and Aslan made “an enormous contribution to the cultural life of our nation”. He added: “Christy was central to that connection, with his passionate performances ensuring a memorable night every time Aslan played – and there were many nights with Christy and the band showing an endless dedication to touring throughout the country.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Christy was a “legend of Irish music and a great Dubliner as well”.
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