THE Parting Glass was sung in Glengarriff cemetery today as the burial took place of car crash victim Tadhg Murphy.

The 19-year-old was the driver of the car in the fatal single-vehicle accident near Glengarriff on Monday morning.

The second victim, 40-year-old Michael Bowen from Ahakista, who was a back seat passenger in the car, will be buried in Kilcrohane on Saturday afternoon.

His funeral cortege will leave his home at 1pm to travel to the Star of the Sea Church in Kilcrohane for requiem Mass, followed by burial in the local cemetery.

Fr Joe Begley, who celebrated today's Mass for Tadhg Murphy, said it was one of the biggest funerals seen in Glengarriff.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing guidelines had to be observed, meaning that only a small number of family and friends could sit in the church for the funeral Mass.

However, large crowds lined the route from his home through Glengarriff village as the cortege made its way to the church.

They included clubmates from the local GAA club, as well as a guard of honour from his former schools.

There was also a large crowd outside the church during the Mass.

One of his friends paid tribute to him with a short eulogy at the end of the Mass, said Fr Begley.

"One of his friends spoke of how much he is being missed by his friends."

A number of songs were sung by the graveside, including The Parting Glass, said Fr Begley.

In his own sermon at the Mass, Fr Begley acknowledged the mood of the community.

He also spoke of how difficult it is to see the light in the current darkness arising out of last Monday morning's accident.

He said the funeral was "very respectful and dignified."

Both the Murphy and Bowen families have requested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the West Cork Rapid Response.

The car Tadhg was driving crashed off the Kenmare Road into the Glengarriff river at around 5.30am on Monday morning.

Another teenager who was in the car was seriously injured while a fourth person who was in the car was left traumatised.

The chaplain of Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai in Bantry, Fr James McSweeney, has paid tribute to Tadhg in a YouTube posting.

Tadhg had been a student of the school from 2013 to 2019.

In the tribute, Fr McSweeney described Tadhg as a lovable rogue and shared many photos of him during his school years.

He said: "He was a loveable rogue and was hugely popular with his many friends. Right from the start, Tadhg charmed everyone and he was simply loved by everyone."

In a tribute to him on Facebook, his former primary school, Scoil Fhiachna NS in Glengarriff, remembered him: "All at Scoil Fhiachna were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic and untimely passing of former pupil Tadhg Murphy. We send our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Tadgh and Mike Bowen."