The funerals have taken place of two of the Irish students who died when a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California last week.
Hundreds attended the funeral masses for Eoghan Culligan and Eimear Walsh.
Marie Culligan, the mother of Eoghan, said her son had been a light in their lives and that they had lost a beacon that would never shine again.
Speaking at the end of Mr Culligan's funeral mass at the Church of the Annunciation in Rathfarnham, where hundreds of mourners had gathered, she said her family's hearts were broken.
Ms Culligan said the family's love for Eoghan would remain until the day they died.
Eoghan's best friends, Jack and Ross, said the trio had been inseparable.
His girlfriend, Sarah, read a poem to the congregation, outlining all the things she would miss about Eoghan, including long walks in Dún Laoghaire and lazy Sunday afternoons.
She said she had lost her soulmate and the future they would have shared together.
A guard of honour was formed outside the church by students from Eoghan's former school, St Mary's College in Rathmines and members of the Ballyboden GAA club, where Eoghan played football.
US Ambassador Kevin O'Malley and Minister for Communications Alex White were among those attending the funeral.
Gifts representing various aspects of Eoghan's life were brought to the altar during the mass including an Irish rugby jersey and a signed Dublin GAA jersey.
A medal Eoghan won while playing Under-13s rugby was also among the gifts, as well as a hat that was a present from his girlfriend.
A watch that had belonged to Eoghan's grandfather, Joe, was also among the gifts - representing his pride in his family.
Collages of photographs of Eoghan with his friends were also brought to the altar, along with a ring and staff worn by Eoghan during the production of a short film based on Lord of the Rings.
During the homily, chief celebrant Fr Richard Olin said a number of long journeys had been made over the past week.
He said journeys had begun in joy, expectation and happiness, when a group of friends went to California to spend a summer together.
Elsewhere, Eimear Walsh's funeral took place at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Foxrock, with burial at Shanganagh Cemetery.
President Michael D Higgins and the Taoiseach were both represented by aides-de-camp at the funerals.
The chief mourners at Ms Walsh's funeral included her parents, Jim and Patricia, and her brother, Robert.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys was also among the mourners.
The US embassy was represented by Stuart Dwyer, deputy chief of mission.
Chief celebrant Fr Paul Ward told the mourners that the death of a young person is very difficult as it raises questions that cannot be answered, it challenges the very meaning and purpose of life.
He said the past week had been long and harrowing for so many and this day last week seemed so long for Eimear's family.
It was not surprising that Eimear became a medical student ... she made a life choice to become a healer.
Eimear's father, Jim, paid tribute to his daughter telling the congregation she was a beautiful person.
He said they were very proud of her and her achievements. She was fun loving, independent-minded, very bright, confident and never pretentious. He said there was a huge void in their lives.
The last week was very traumatic and they felt so helpless, he said.
The funerals of Olivia Burke and Niccolai Schuster will take place in Foxrock and Rathgar tomorrow.
Lorcán Miller will be laid to rest on Thursday, following a funeral service at Rathmichael Parish Church in Shankill.
Meanwhile, one of the other Irish students injured when the balcony collapsed in Berkeley last Monday night has been released from hospital in California.
Sean Fahey, from Rathmines in Dublin, is now due to travel home to Ireland.
The other six students injured in the tragedy remain in hospital, but all are reported to be making improvements.
At the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, Jack Halpin from Rathmines and Conor Flynn from Mount Merrion are said to now be in a fair condition.
At the Eden Medical Center, Niall Murray from Rathfarnham and Clodagh Cogley from Clonskeagh are also reported to be doing well despite their serious injuries.
At the Highland Hospital in Oakland Aoife Beary from Blackrock and Hannah Waters from Castleknock are still said to be in a critical condition but are showing signs of improvement.
