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MY BIG FAT GYPSY FUNERAL

Travellers from across Europe turn out to pay respects to ‘Lady Diana’ of gypsies

Gypsy queen finally laid to rest after fierce battle against cancer

A “GYPSY Queen” described as the "Lady Diana of the travelling community" was laid to rest today after passing away following a long battle with cancer last week.

Last month travellers from across Europe arrived in sports cars to say goodbye to Violet Crumlish, 59, when she was being treated for terminal bowel cancer in Bristol.

Today the funeral of gypsy queen Violet Crumlish was held in Ireland
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Today the funeral of gypsy queen Violet Crumlish was held in IrelandCredit: [email protected]
Travellers from across Europe gathered to bid farewell to Violet Crumlish
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Travellers from across Europe gathered to bid farewell to Violet CrumlishCredit: Pacemaker Press
Thousands flocked from all over the world for the funeral of the 'Queen of Travellers'
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Thousands flocked from all over the world for the funeral of the 'Queen of Travellers'Credit: Press Eye Photography
Violet Crumlish passed away last week and her funeral was held today
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Violet Crumlish passed away last week and her funeral was held today
Violet had been fighting a long battle with bowel cancer
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Violet had been fighting a long battle with bowel cancerCredit: Press Eye Photography
But sadly she passed away on Saturday at a hospital in Belfast
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But sadly she passed away on Saturday at a hospital in BelfastCredit: Press Eye Photography
Her family took her body to be buried in Ireland, but she had previously been living in Bristol
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Her family took her body to be buried in Ireland, but she had previously been living in BristolCredit: SWNS

Since mid-August makeshifts camps have been set up on Durdham Downs in Sneyd Park, as well as Lockleaze, Horfield, Clifton, Bedminster and Stoke Gifford.

The mother-of-13 passed away on Saturday at Northern Ireland Hospice in Belfast surrounded by all of her children and their partners.

Her family flew her body back to Ireland for a royal send off, and her family expected hundreds of people to attend.

Violet had been described at the 'Princess Diana of the Travelling community'
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Violet had been described at the 'Princess Diana of the Travelling community'Credit: Pacemaker Press
Huge floral displays were laid out in memory of Violet Crumlish
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Huge floral displays were laid out in memory of Violet CrumlishCredit: Pacemaker Press
Before her death on Saturday thousands had flocked to her home to say their farewells
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Before her death on Saturday thousands had flocked to her home to say their farewellsCredit: Pacemaker Press
Makeshift camps had been set up in the Bristol area as people arrived from across Europe
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Makeshift camps had been set up in the Bristol area as people arrived from across EuropeCredit: Pacemaker Press
The mum-of-13 passed away at a hospice in Northern Ireland on Saturday
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The mum-of-13 passed away at a hospice in Northern Ireland on SaturdayCredit: Pacemaker Press
She was surrounded by all of her children and their own families when she died
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She was surrounded by all of her children and their own families when she diedCredit: Pacemaker Press
The huge funeral brought the whole town to a standstill
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The huge funeral brought the whole town to a standstillCredit: Pacemaker Press
Huge crowds of mourners took part in the ceremony by carrying flowers
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Huge crowds of mourners took part in the ceremony by carrying flowersCredit: Press Eye Photography
Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects
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Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respectsCredit: Pacemaker Press

One of Violet's five sons, Jimmy, said: "All of the ferries to Ireland from England and Europe are booked up for the next three days - people are coming from all over the world to say goodbye.

"She was a lovely caring woman.

"She would never seen anyone wronged or harmed, her door was always open to everyone no matter who you were. She was completely non-judgemental."

The wake was held in Belfast on Tuesday and her funeral took place in County Armagh today.

Violet was often referred to as the 'Princess Diana of the travelling community'
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Violet was often referred to as the 'Princess Diana of the travelling community'Credit: Pacemaker Press
She was well respected across Europe by travellers
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She was well respected across Europe by travellersCredit: Pacemaker Press
Hundreds turned out to say goodbye in a service fit for a queen
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Hundreds turned out to say goodbye in a service fit for a queenCredit: Pacemaker Press
Young mourners were fans of the pristine white horses
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Young mourners were fans of the pristine white horsesCredit: Press Eye Photography
Police guarded the procession through the closed-off streets
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Police guarded the procession through the closed-off streetsCredit: Press Eye Photography
Floral tributes were created to honour Violet
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Floral tributes were created to honour VioletCredit: PA:Press Association

A white horse-drawn hearse carried Ms Crumlish’s coffin to St Peter’s Church in Lurgan for noon Requiem Mass.

Ten black limousines were organised for the cortege and red carpet laid out and white doves released at the graveside at St Colman’s cemetery for her burial.

Two flatbed lorries were needed to carry the huge amounts of wreaths and flowers.

Among the scores of colourful floral tributes were ones in the shape of a Chanel handbag, a caravan, bingo board, iPhone, lipstick, single cigarette, bottles of wine and alcopop.

A number of life-sized photos of the grandmother were also displayed inside the church and at the graveside, as well as portraits of her extended family.

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During Requiem Mass Parish Priest Fr Joseph Wozniak described Ms Crumlish as a "very gentle and kind person".

He said: "She never criticised anybody and was fondly described by family members as the Traveller Queen.

"Violet was a brilliant mother and grandmother. She was also like a mother to many in the Travelling community."

Her family flew her body back to Ireland for the funeral which took place today
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Her family flew her body back to Ireland for the funeral which took place todayCredit: Press Eye Photography
They were expecting hundreds to attend the service and they were not disappointed
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They were expecting hundreds to attend the service and they were not disappointedCredit: [email protected]
Her family claimed all the ferries to Ireland were booked up for the event
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Her family claimed all the ferries to Ireland were booked up for the eventCredit: [email protected]
Son Jimmy said she was a 'lovely caring woman' and her door was 'always open'
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Son Jimmy said she was a 'lovely caring woman' and her door was 'always open'Credit: [email protected]
Her wake was held in Belfast on Tuesday and her funeral in County Armagh today
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Her wake was held in Belfast on Tuesday and her funeral in County Armagh todayCredit: [email protected]
Mourners young and old were in attendance
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Mourners young and old were in attendanceCredit: Pacemaker Press
Thousands visited her in Bristol before she died leading to some concerns within the settled community
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Thousands visited her in Bristol before she died leading to some concerns within the settled communityCredit: SWNS
She had been battling bowel cancer for some time and so many came to see her as she was "so well respected"
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She had been battling bowel cancer for some time and so many came to see her as she was "so well respected"Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
Many came from Europe and across the world to say goodbye to the 'Princess Diana of the Travellers'
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Many came from Europe and across the world to say goodbye to the 'Princess Diana of the Travellers'Credit: SWNS

peaking about those who visited Violet son, Owen Crumlish, said: "The hospital staff made her very peaceful and very comfortable.

"About 9,000 people came to see her in total and she was very touched. She had a lot of friends and people came from all over the world to see her.

"She had five sons and eight daughters and too many grandchildren to count, but she was also a mother figure to so many others in the community.

"She was married to my father for 44 years and he has been left heartbroken."

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