Sophie Rhys-Jones wife of Prince Edward visits Upperchurch, Co.Tipperary
Members of the British Royal family and billionaires mixed with local mourners yesterday when the picturesque village of Upperchurch bade farewell to a former close confidant of Princess Margaret.
The late Ned Ryan, from Upperchurch, Co Tipperary, got an emotional send off in his home village from all sections of society including the Countess of Wessex, Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, wife of Prince Edward who attended on behalf of the British Royal Family. Also in attendance was Joseph Cyril Bamford, (J.C.B) Norma Smurfit, Galen Weston (Brown Thomas), Lord David Linley, son of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon and the 1st Earl of Snowdon and Tipperary All-Ireland winning manager Liam Sheedy.
Armed gardai supported by local officers were keeping a close watch at yesterday’s funeral where security was tight on all approach roads to the Sacred Heart Church in Upperchurch where over 1200 people gathered to pay their last respects to Mr Ned Ryan, latter who during his lifetime returned home to Upperchurch regularly and was in constant contact with family.
Local priest Fr. Loughlin Brennan, a family relative of the deceased, who conducted the funeral ceremony, told the congregation: “Ned did not die alone but with the people he loved most. At 78 years of age, I would have wished him a longer life, but couldn’t have wished him a better life,”
Mr Ryan’s sister-in-law, former teacher Joan Ryan, thanked all who had travelled from near and far including the many distinguished people who had attended to say their last goodbye’s.
A large marquee had been erected in the village for the mourners to gather for refreshments, following the burial and the Countess of Wessex returned to Kinnane’s public house for tea and scones, hosted by Niamh and Siobain Kinnane, before leaving the area by helicopter.
Prince Edward’s wife Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, as their helicopter passed over Thurles sky’s, was probably unaware that her husband is a direct descendant of Viscount and Lady Thurles through their eldest son, the Duke of Ormond and that Thurles is the home of the present heirs to the British Crown. The Duke of Ormond’s daughter, Elizabeth, married Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl Chesterfield, and their daughter Elizabeth Stanhope married John Lyon, 4th Earl Strathmore. Six generations later in direct line was the 14th Earl Strathmore whose daughter, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon married the future King George VI; parents of reigning queen, Her Majesty Elizabeth II and the grandparents of Prince Edward, now seventh in line to the throne.
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