Funeral details announced for young Irish teacher who died in Australia

Olivia Kelleher

Funeral details have been announced for a 28-year-old teacher and Gaelic footballer from Meath who took ill and died on December 14th in Australia.

Sarah Halpenny, who was a former teacher at St Joseph’s National School, Kingscourt, in Co Cavan was living in Melbourne at the time of her death. She was employed in a school and was a cherished member of St Kevin’s GAA club in Melbourne.

Kingscourt Parish Facebook page posted that Sarah was an “amazing teacher” who was loved by her pupils. She was also held in high esteem by all her colleagues and friends.

Her family are from Bengestown, Lobinstown near Navan in Co Meath. Sarah played Gaelic football for Meath at several underage grades, and was part of the Leinster title winning 2012 U16 panel.

Ms Halpenny is survived by her partner Ciarán, parents David and Yvonne, sisters Emma and Grace, her extended family and a large circle of friends. She was predeceased by her grandparents Luke Halpenny and Johnny and Fionola Reilly.

She will lie in repose at her home on Tuesday and Wednesday from 1pm to 6pm. Her removal will take place on Thursday January 1st morning arriving to the Church of the Holy Cross, Lobinstown for a requiem mass at 11am. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

Over €178,000 has been raised on a Go Fund Me page to support the costs of bringing Sarah home to Ireland as well as to contribute to causes and charities that were close to her heart.

Sarah has been described as a “loving partner, daughter, and sister, a kind and loyal friend, a superb sportsperson and teammate, and a caring, dedicated teacher”.

The Halpenny family would like to “sincerely thank everyone for the overwhelming love and support they have received from both home and abroad.”