The late dean of Dublin's Christ Church Cathedral epitomised the very best in the life and ministry of the Church, mourners at his funeral heard today.
The Very Rev Desmond Harman was laid to rest in a private burial service following the ceremony, attended by hundreds of people in the cathedral this morning.
Dean Harman's brother-in-law, the Archdeacon of Glendalough
He died on Tuesday in Dublin's Blackrock Clinic from an illness after a heart operation.
Speaking at the service, Dean Harman's brother-in-law, the Archdeacon of Glendalough the Ven Edgar Swann said: "This cathedral, these dioceses, the whole Church of Ireland mourns the untimely passing of someone of whom we can be rightly proud of, someone who epitomised the very best in the life and ministry of our church.
"We will best honour his memory by carrying on his work with the same integrity which was his hallmark."
Both President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern were represented by their aides-de-camp. The Most Rev Dr John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough, and the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin the Most Rev Diarmuid Martin, also attended.
Dean Harman, who took up his Christ Church Cathedral post in 2004, was married with three children.