MOURNERS at the funeral of inspirational 'Room to Improve' star Michael Stokes were told to embrace the the teenager's positive outlook today.
Hundreds gathered at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Malahide on Wednesday morning to celebrate the life of the youngster - who came to national prominence after his appearance on the RTÉ show in 2016.
Michael, who was just 15, died on Saturday, May 5 just weeks before his 16th birthday following a tragic fall at home.
He captured the heart of the nation when he starred alongside his teacher Ann Higgins and her husband Barry as architect Dermot Bannon helped redesign their Malahide home two years ago.
Touchingly, the couple later fostered Michael and moved him in to their newly-wheelchair accessible house.
Speaking at Michael's funeral mass, parish priest Fr Martin Noone said that while some may have thought the odds were stacked against the teen given his disability, Michael was “tiny but tough”.
Fr Noone added: "What Michael has done in a few short years many of us, including myself, will not achieve in a long, long life.
“Michael’s life is not to be mourned today, but to be embraced and followed”.
Paying tribute to Michael at the end of the mass, family friend Eimir McGrath said that when he was born “a tiny fragile baby”, he was not expected to survive.
However, she said “Michael the warrior came into being".
Ms McGrath added: “Inside this little body was a giant-sized heart and an enormous capacity to love us as his life unfolded.
Room to Improve's Dermot Bannon was among those who took part in the funeral procession - just two years after he helped make the Higgins' home wheelchair-friendly and suitable for Michael's needs.
In an Instagram post, he said it had been a privilege to know “this amazing young man”.
Michael also appeared on The Late Late Show earlier this year, telling viewers of his joy at being fostered by Ann and Barry.
"I have my own bed, I have my own desk. I love everything, everything is at my level," he said at the time.
Also writing on Instagram, presenter Ryan Tubridy described Michael as an "unforgettable soul".
Tubridy added: "Thinking of Ann, Barry and all Michael’s family and friends.
"The world is that bit diminished without him."
Among the gifts brought to the altar at Michael's funeral mass were a microphone, a Manchester United jersey, a pizza box, a DVD and a bottle of coke.
After the ceremony the teenager's remains were brought to Dardistown Cemetery for burial.
