Fr Richard Naughton said: “It [the funeral] was much more on a personal level than on her career. But obviously that is coming into it because she was very committed to her career. It took her from Newry to London at 19. And then, after periods in London, she studied music, dance, and acting in LA.

“Then she came back to London, but then moved to where she really regarded as home, which was Blackpool due to all the possibilities of year-round entertainment functions. That was where she was happiest.

“But she was constantly coming back to Newry because of her strong family links and to care for her elderly mother.”

Fr Naughton said the end of the service saw a recording of her singing played. “It was very touching and very moving to hear,” he added.