A tragic accident claimed the lives of acclaimed author Nell Saffron Raven and her daughter Irena, known as Ira, who were born in the UK before relocating to Ireland. The collision occurred on the R162 at Corclare, Sherlock, resulting in Nell’s immediate passing and Ira succumbing to her injuries later at Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street Hospital.
Nell, 53, a former journalist, who recently became an Irish citizen, resided with her family, including 10-year-old Ira, in Gortnacleigh, Milltown in Belturbet, Co Cavan. Their emotional funeral was a celebration of Nell’s writing skills, motherhood, and cancer survival, while Ira was remembered as a cheerful girl who adored music, Irish dancing, and their life in Co Cavan.
The funeral service, held at St Patrick’s Church, Milltown, saw Nell and Ira laid to rest together in a single wicker coffin. Mourners paid respects to Ira’s posthumous organ donation that saved four children’s lives. Nell’s husband Alexandru, daughters Eveline and Violet, parents Erik and Christina, and Nell’s sisters Daisy and Poppy were among the mourners.
Alexandru, emotionally addressing the gathering, reflected on their family’s journey from the UK to Ireland, where they found happiness in a quaint cottage. He praised Nell’s writing talent and Ira’s vibrant personality, emphasizing their love for life in Cavan.
Tributes included a recitation of Dylan Thomas’s poem and symbolic items on the altar representing Nell and Ira’s cherished possessions. Ira’s friend Liam fondly recalled their shared moments, highlighting Ira’s playful nature and their close friendship.
The funeral concluded with Ira’s favorite song playing as their coffin left the church for interment at Drumlane cemetery.