Poignant scenes as Letterkenny twins laid to rest together

Twin brothers in arms Cornie and Liam McNamee were laid to rest just as they entered the world: Together.

The Letterkenny twins, who were aged 74, were buried side-by-side in Conway Cemetery on Wednesday following a poignant funeral Mass at St Eunan’s Cathedral.

The former soldiers were given a military funeral. Their coffins, draped in the Irish tricolour they so proudly served under as members of the Defence Forces, were brought from the Cathedral by soldiers from the 28th Infantry Battalion, who acted as pallbearers.

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The remains of Cornie McNamee were brought to the Cathedral at 6pm on Tuesday to repose overnight. His beloved twin passed away on Tuesday night and joined his sibling at the altar the following morning.

Born in July 1950, “their lives have been intertwined,” Fr Damien Nejad told mourners. 

“It is with sorrow and hope that we lay them to rest and we continue to pray for them that they will reach the happiness that God promises to those who are faithful.”

Fr Nejad recalled how Cornie and Liam shared a “unique and intimate bond” that was “something extraordinary” and they had a “deep connection” as twins.

“In simple acts of daily life, they showed us the beauty of family importance of being together and the love that endures,” he said.

They were predeceased by their parents, Tommy and Bridie and survived by brothers Hugo, TJ and Danny, sister Bernadette, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and a wide circle of family, friends and neighbours.

Hugo tuned into the double funeral from Melbourne while TJ also watched proceedings online.

The two were natives of Rosuillighe while Liam lived most recently at Killyclug.

Cornie McNamee served as a mechanic, first with Kevin Shanaghan and later in Hegarty’s garage. He joined the Military Police at Finner Camp and served on a tour of duty in Cyprus. 

Cornie was a “radio man through and through”, Fr Nejad said and loved listening to Highland Radio and the BBC World News.

Both men loved fishing and spent many hours fishing the waters of Lough Swilly together.

Liam McNamee worked in James Doherty’s abattoir before going to work on building sites in London. After joining the Irish Army, he became a celebrated chef and Fr Nejad noted how he won “many awards”. Liam was also a talented footballer and a snooker player, once recording three century breaks on the one night.

Liam was fond of westerns and country classics and spent the last two-and-a-half years in the Larissa Lodge Nursing Home.

Remarking on their “lives of courage, love and service to others,” Fr Nejad added: “Cornie and Liam, through their service, demonstrated love and the people who knew them experienced that in a special way.”