Heartfelt tributes paid to 'beautiful' Co Tipperary boy (6) who died tragically while on family holiday

Joshua Reilly of Clonmore near Templemore passed away unexpectedly in Wexford on Saturday.

A post on RIP.ie reads: "Joshua Reilly, Graffin, Clonmore, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, 10th of July, Age 6, unexpectedly to the inexpressible grief of his heart broken parents Jennifer and Lorcan, Brother Shane, grandparents Ellen, Joseph and Declan, aunt Siobhan, uncle Liam, relatives and friends.

“May his gentle soul rest in peace.

"Reposing in Grey’s Funeral Home, Templemore this Wednesday evening from 5 pm to 7pm. Requiem Mass on Thursday in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Templemore at 12 pm. Interment in the adjoining Cemetery afterwards."

JK Brackens GAA Club said on Facebook that the club was deeply saddened by the passing of Joshua.

“Joshua, who was just 6 years old, was a sports fanatic who loved JK Brackens, Tipperary and Liverpool,” they posted. “He was a member of our U7 hurling and football group and trained weekly in the park and he loved attending blitzes with his friends.

“Just last week Joshua attended the club Cul Camp and enjoyed every minute. Joshua was a beautiful, happy boy with a huge smile who endeared himself to everyone he met.

“We express our sympathy to his parents Jennifer & Lorcan, his brother Shane, his grandparents Joe & Ellen O' Connor and Declan Reilly, his extended family and his many friends in St. Joseph's Primary School.”

The Friends of St Joseph's PS Facebook page states that the staff, pupils and school community were “saddened by the untimely and sudden passing of our pupil and dear friend, Joshua Reilly".

“As a highly regarded member of Ms Hassett's Junior Infant class, Joshua was held in high esteem and was greatly endeared by his teachers, class mates, the wider school staff and school community,” they posted.

“No relationship, however, could match that of Joshua and his great friend, Trena. The bond between Joshua and Trena was plain for all to see but was quite evident through the warm greeting they both had for each other on the yard each and every morning.”

They added: “A fanatic football supporter, Joshua regularly took the opportunity to showcase his colours and was often seen wearing the red and white of his beloved Liverpool.

“Regardless of class level or age, everybody knew Joshua but Joshua made it his business to know everybody too! A friendly, sociable, outgoing boy, Joshua was known to stop and spark a conversation with anybody in the corridor! He often had to be coaxed back into the classroom as he would have stayed chatting all day!!!

"We will miss his friendliness, his warmth, his mischievous nature and his laughter but his spirit will never leave the corridors of St. Joseph’s.

“We extend our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to his parents Jennifer and Lorcan, his baby brother, Shane, of whom he was so proud, his grandparents, Ellen, Joe & Declan and to his extended family and many, many friends.

Numerous messages of condolence have also been left on the Grey's Funeral Home page.

One reads: “Jennifer, Lorcan and baby Shane, you haven’t left my thoughts and prayers, Joshua brightened my day the moment I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting him, rest in paradise Joshua.”

Another adds: “I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jennifer and Lorcan, to Shane, to their immediate family members, relatives and many, many friends on the passing of Joshua.”

“We are heartbroken to hear this devastating news and our thoughts and prayers are with all the family,” one person has written.

“Condolences to Lorcan, Jennifer his brother Shane and grandparents. Joshua you were always happy and smiling in the Montessori School . I will miss you. Rest in peace Joshua," another person has written.