A memorial service will be held in County Wicklow in the coming weeks for teenager Hannah Jane Large, from Greystones, who died in a road traffic accident in Iceland last week.
The 18-year-old was one of three young people killed when a BMW left the road and crashed near Krýsuvíkurvegur, approximately 30 kilometres south of Reykjavík, in the early hours of Monday, August 31. Icelandic authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Describing Hannah as a “smiling, shining star”, who brightened the lives of those around her, the family said that she had “died tragically” in what they said was her “spiritual home of Iceland”. They added she would be “forever loved and always remembered” by those who knew her.
A memorial service will take place in Colliers Funeral Home, Old Connaught Avenue, Bray at a date to be announced. The family asked that those attending wear bright clothes “to remind each other of Hannah’s sparkle”.
Hannah had recently completed her Leaving Certificate at St David’s Holy Faith Secondary School in Greystones and news of her death prompted an outpouring of sympathy locally and in Iceland.
Iceland’s President, Halla Tómasdóttir, expressed condolences to the families and friends of the three young people who died in the crash, saying the tragedy was a reminder of how precious and fragile life can be.
Responding to the president’s message, Hannah’s mother, Sam, paid tribute to her daughter and spoke of her love for Iceland.
“She fell in love with your country,” she said. “She loved the people and her last few days were the happiest of her life. That is the only consolation we have and hold onto. We spoke to her that night and she was full of joy.”
Wicklow Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said the news had sent “shockwaves through the local community”.
“She should have been starting out on an exciting new chapter in her life as she finished up in school and instead that has now been tragically taken from her,” Ms Whitmore said.
Local councillor Orla Finn said she was “deeply saddened” by Hannah’s death and extended her condolences to the Large family, saying Hannah had been a valued member of the Greystones community.
The death notice concludes with a note describing Hannah as “a devoted and kind friend and her friends were the centre of her world and she theirs, both here and in Iceland”.