Ronan Keating's poignant Instagram tribute to late brother after his funeral

21 July 2023 , 10:39

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Ronan Keating has made a touching tribute to his late brother Ciaran Keating

Ronan Keating carried the coffin of his brother Ciaran Keating on Thursday and the former Boyzone star has paid a poignant tribute to his late brother on Instagram and Twitter.

The singer has changed his Instagram and Twitter profile picture to indicate a period of mourning with a black block image.

Ciaran, 57, died in a car crash on Saturday as he travelled with his wife Ann Marie to watch their son, Ruairí play for Cork City FC in a clash with Sligo Rovers.

The father-of-three's funeral service too place at St Patrick's Church in Louisburgh, Co Mayo with Ronan acting as one of the pallbearers in the procession.

Ronan paid a tearful tribute to his older brother before performing an emotional rendition of This Is Your Song.

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Ronan Keating (centre middle right) helped to carry the coffin of his brother (PA)

He told mourners: "Ciaran and Ann Marie have done a spectacular job - three incredible human beings. Your strength over the past few days has been incredible and you've done your dad very proud."

“This song was written 25 years ago when we lost our mum. I shouldn’t be singing it in these circumstances but we are and we will."

Ciaran is survived by his three children, Conall, Ruairi and Aisling and grand-children, Bobbi May, Reggie, Archie T and Sonnie.

His father Gerry Keating spoke at the funeral, telling those gathered about Ciaran's childhood, his time playing football in his teenage years, and his love for his wife Ann Marie, who was injured in the collision.

Ronan pictured with his late brother Ciaran and his son Jack

Gerry said: “On the Saturday (that Ciaran died) I was waiting for the text or the message. I got the message at quarter past eight, I got the bad news, and it was the worst news I got in my life."

Speaking of Ciaran’s work with the Marie Keating Foundation, for which he helped to to set up after the death of his mother from breast cancer, aged 51 in 1998, Gerry said: “If there was a driver short anywhere, Ciaran would drop everything in Mayo and prepare to drive the unit for the foundation. He’d never say no, he never complained about anything.”

Ciaran’s oldest son, Conall Keating, gave a heartbreaking eulogy, in which he began by stating that his mother and grandmother were watching. “My dad gave his most difficult speech 25 years ago when he spoke about his beloved mother, and now I must give the most difficult speech about my beloved dad,” he said before adding: “He has been taken from us far too soon. Our lives have been changed forever. And our hearts are broken," he said.

“He was a great man and I am honoured to call him my dad. He will be remembered forever and carried with us or the rest of our lives," Conall concluded.

Charlotte McIntyre