Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin described the late President Dr Patrick Hillery as "a pioneering artisan in building a modern Ireland" during his funeral mass in Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral today.
Speaking before the prayers of final commendation at the Solemn Requiem Mass, Dr Martin said that Dr Hillery was an "Irishman and European; statesman, diplomat and politician; husband, father and grandfather and friend; a man of wisdom and great human warmth; a man of integrity and a believing Christian."
Earlier, the homilist Fr Des Hillery, a nephew of the late President, said that as a medical doctor, Dr Hillery had inherited three skills, those of listening, examining and of diagnosis.
Recounting the late President's career, Fr Hillery recalled that he was appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs by then Taoiseach Jack Lynch at a time of serious crisis in the North.
Dr Hillery had himself visited people's houses in the North and brought the situation there to the attention of the international community through the United Nations, he said. Fr Hillery also told the congregation that Dr Hillery was Minister when Ireland joined the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973 and then became Ireland's first European Commissioner before becoming President in 1976, for the first of his two terms.
However, away from the public eye, said Fr Hillery, Dr Patrick Hillery was a private and even a shy man. "A person whose sense of fairness, kindness and hard work were based on values he grew up with at home (in Milltown Malbay in Co Clare), developed through his life and now acclaimed as we gave thanks for his long life."
The late President was particularly devoted to his family, especially his wife Maeve, with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage. Fr Hillery also remembered his daughter, Vivienne, who died at a young age.
Quoting the writings of Teilhard de Chardin, Fr Hillery said: "There's no place for the sceptics; there's no place for the weary; there's no place for the sad of heart. Life is ceaseless discovery. Life is movement."
The chief concelebrant Fr Aidan Lehane, a close family friend, in remarks at the outset of the Mass said of Dr Hillery: "He has left the Europe and Ireland and the Co Clare that he loved so much."
The Mass, which began at 12 noon, was attended by the President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese; Taoiseach Bertie Ahern; the Chief Justice Mr Justice John Murray, Cardinal Sean Brady; Archbishop Diarmuid Martin; Church of Ireland Archbishop Donald Caird; Tánaiste Brian Cowen, members of the Government, the judiciary and the Houses of the Oireachtas; the Catholic hierarchy; and representatives of other denominations.
The chief mourners were Dr Hillery's widow, Maeve, his son, John, nephews, nieces, daughter-in-law, Carolyn, grandchildren and other relatives.