An Irishman who sailed solo round the world at the age of 70 was laid to rest in his beloved Co Kerry yesterday.

Pat Lawless, whose solo circumnavigation of the world made him a household name in Ireland in the late 1990s, died suddenly at his home in Limerick last weekend. He was 84.

He received a hero's welcome in July 1996 when he sailed up the Shannon Estuary in his 30ft vessel The Sea Dog after completing the 30,000-mile world voyage. The father-of-six from Limerick city was laid to rest in Dun Chaoin in Co Kerry yesterday, following Mass at St Joseph's Church in Limerick city.

His grandchildren brought a number of gifts symbolising his life to the altar including a boat, globe, violin and sailor's cap.