The death of Donegal businessman Stephen McCahill has plunged his parish and local community into darkness, his funeral mass has heard.
Mr McCahill was found dead following an assault at his home outside the town of Ard an Rátha last Monday.
A huge crowd of mourners paid their respects today to the 66-year-old married father of two.
Tributes to Mr McCahill have noted his heavy involvement with the local community and he was named Donegal Person of the Year in 2016.
Watch: McCahill's death is 'terrible tragedy', funeral told
The hearse stopped outside the Corner House Bar, which he co-owned, from where members of staff and the local GAA club then walked the few hundred metres to the Church Of The Holy Family for requiem Mass.
Members of the Ard an Rátha GAA club formed a guard of honour as the cortege entered the church grounds.
Parish priest Father Aodhan Cannon said the community had been "plunged into darkness" following Mr McCahill's death.
"We were left feeling a sense of shock and disbelief, fear, anger and intense grief as well as the many unanswered questions that someone who was so pivotal in our community had died," Fr Cannon added in his homily.
He told mourners that "a light had gone out" for all of them, but especially for Mr McCahill's "heartbroken wife Marietta" as well as his children, granddaughter, personal assistant, other family members and friends.
Fr Cannon added: "He gave many a person a chance when others didn't. Stephen’s goodness mattered and made a difference.
"This parish that Stephen sought to improve is shaken to say the least. But its solidarity and care for each other will help us in the days and time ahead."
Earlier, the priest said Mr McCahill’s death was "a terrible tragedy and has left a huge void in the lives of those who love him.
"We are inconsolable, but our funeral today will give us a wee bit of hope and a wee bit of consolation in our terrible loss and grief," he added.
A series of symbols of Mr McCahill's life were brought to the top of the church, near his wooden coffin which was adorned with flowers.
The symbols represented the Corner House bar, where Mr McCahill took "great pride" in his work and "made sure everyone felt welcome".
Although he did not drink alcohol himself, the mass was told that he loved the life of the bar and that he had created a place of "welcome, warmth, music, storytelling and belonging".
He regarded the staff as extended family and loved those who filled it with song, jiving and easy conversation.
Other symbols represented his "fierce loyalty" to the fishing industry and friends as well as his "curiosity, active lifestyle and zest for life".
Fr Cannon said the Donegal Person of the Year award represented Mr McCahill's tireless work behind the scenes and "heartfelt dedication" to the people of the county.
He said: "For all the public recognition, his greatest work was often quiet and personal, helping people on an individual basis.
"This award stands as a symbol of a life lived generously for the good of the whole community."
The final symbol was a photo of his family, which was "what mattered most to him".
