The poignant ceremony was filled with moments both tender and hilarious, which reflected the character of the man himself. Naturally the event had a strong musical element featuring Tom Dunne [in centre of picture with Paul McLoone left and Buzz O'Neill right] sparkling renditions of 'In My Life' by The Beatles and parting number, The Beach Boys 'God Only Knows’, which was preceded by a spine-tingling 'Teenage Kicks' by Paul McLoone. Billy Kilkenny and Michael Kenny sang 'Bring Him Home’.
Tom, George's friend for 36 years, delivered a lovely and well-pitched eulogy, which perfectly captured the multi-faceted character of (John George Paul) Ringo that we had all grown to know and love. Gifts brought to the altar reflected all his various passions: Chelsea and Shamrock Rovers jerseys, a Go Betweens album, rock encyclopedia and a selection of his favourite DVDs.
The crowds paying their respects included George's close friends Buzz O'Neill, Eamon Carr and Ian O'Doherty. Musicians in attendance included Thomas Walsh, Tosh Flood and Joey Fitzgerald of Pugwash, guitarist Conor Brady, Trouble Pilgrims Pete Holidai, Steve Averill and Johnny Bonnie, Stephen Ryan, Paul Cleary, Mary Stokes and Brin Palm, Ak Kennedy, Stan Erraught and Aidan Walsh.
Media colleagues turned out in numbers, including Dave Fanning, RTE's Ian Wilson and Jim Lockhart, Ken Sweeney, Danny McElhinney, Barry Hartigan, Mick Heaney, Fiona Looney, Tara Brady, Donald Clarke, Tanya Sweeney, Eamon Sweeney, Ken Sweeney, Eugene Masterson, Daniel McDonell and Dave Kenny.
Additional industry figures such as Emma Harney, Sorcha O'Flanagan, Stevo Berube, John Fisher, Karl Tsigdinos, Andrew Basquille, Ken de Courier, Beamish, John Fisher, Justin Green Ian Wilson, Paddy Dunning, Bren Berry, Aidan Cosgrave, Stevo Berube, Pat Maguire, Dave Pennefather, John McCallion, Mark Clinton, Des Kiely, Brian O’Kelly of Comet, Kevin Fennell, Charlie McNally, Pete Murphy and Ailish Toohey were also in attendance.
Celebrating the life of their former Hot Press colleague were
Niall Stokes, Mairin Sheehy, Dermot Stokes, Duan Stokes, Stuart Clark, Olaf Tyaransen, Tony Clayton-Lea, Roisin Dwyer, Kathrin Baumbach, David Malone, Lorraine Freeney, Paula Nolan, Nick Kelly, Declan Lynch, Liam Mackey, Jackie Hayden, Emmet O’Reilly, Paul O’Mahony, Karl Tsigdinos, Stephen Robinson, Mick Quinn, Tony O’Donoghue, Paul Woodful, Helena Mulkerns, Rachel Moran, Colette Rooney, Jack Broder and Aidan Lambert.
President Michael D Higgins was represented by his aide de camp, Lt Commander Patricia Butler.
Byrne's allegiance to Shamrock Rovers was represented by Mark Lynch, Robbie Foy and Mick Leech, as well as the former Ireland manager, Brian Kerr.
Even Ringo would have given the gig a great review.
He is survived by his parents Michael and Kay, his sister Andrea, girlfriend Julie, relatives and friends.

Additional images can be found in our online gallery.