The devotion and service of the late Máirín Lynch to her late husband, former Taoiseach Jack Lynch, and to the nation was praised yesterday by Bishop John Buckley at a funeral Mass in her adopted home of Cork. Over 300 mourners attended the service.
Bishop Buckley spoke of the sadness felt at Mrs Lynch's death on June 8th at the age of 87 at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Dublin. He also noted that there was joy in celebrating the life of a good and gracious woman.
"Máirín Lynch was a kind, courteous and gracious person - I said at the funeral of her husband, Jack, that she was the joy and soul of his life - together they represented our country at home and abroad with great dignity," said Bishop Buckley.
Bishop Buckley noted Mrs Lynch's great faith and her love of Mass, particularly in Irish. He told the congregation at the North Cathedral that they had gathered to sympathise with her many friends and relatives who were grieving for her.
"We have come here today to thank the Lord for her long life of service to her husband and to the nation," said Bishop Buckley.
He concelebrated the Mass with a number of priests including the former parish priest of the late Mrs Lynch in Dublin, Father Paddy Dowling.
After the funeral Mass, the former governor of the Central Bank and friend of both Jack and Máirín, Dr Ken Whitaker, paid tribute to the wife of the late Taoiseach with "a few words of remembrance and farewell".
"Máirín's character was moulded by her upbringing as an only child of a widowed mother of great talent, energy and patriotism.
"When Máirín married Jack and, unfortunately, had no children, all her devotion, wisdom and concern were centred on him," he said.
Describing the late Mrs Lynch as "an endearing perfectionist", Dr Whitaker recalled that following Jack Lynch's death in 1999, she insisted on personally replying to the countless letters of sympathy she had received from all over the country.
He noted that Jack Lynch's supremacy at hurling and football, his statesmanship and his modesty in the face of wide popularity allied to Máirín's humility "won them general affection as well as enviable political goodwill".
"It seemed to her friends that more recently she was at ease, awaiting a loving reunion," said Dr Whitaker, who was warmly applauded by the congregation.
Chief among the mourners were the late Mrs Lynch's sisters-in-law, Eva Harvey and Rena Dunne, as well as her close companion in recent years, Marcella Murrin.
The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented by her aide-de-camp, Capt Michael Treacy, while the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was represented at the funeral Mass by his aide-de-camp, Comdt Michael Murray.
Also present was former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and his wife, Kathleen, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, and the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, as well as local Cork Fianna Fáil TDs Mr Dan Wallace, Mr John Dennehy and Cork South West Fine Gael TD Mr Jim O'Keeffe.