THE LAST thing Dr Patrick Hillery would have wanted at his funeral was a eulogy, auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Dr Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh told mourners at the Pro-Cathedral yesterday.
"I also know that his family fully share his wish," he added.
Dr Ó Ceallaigh, who knew his fellow Clare man for 57 years, said he wanted to pay a simple tribute to a man of whom Clare people were proud, and to whom the people of Clare, Ireland and Europe owed so much.
"Paddy was a serious man, a man who recognised his gifts and talents bestowed on him by his parents and by God," said Dr Ó Ceallaigh. "He used those talents for the benefit of his fellow men and women. He was one of the first to give serious consideration to the rights and needs of women in society in the various ministries which he held and as European commissioner."
He said that Dr Hillery's vision regarding what was now accepted as "social partnership", as well as the need for a department dealing specifically with labour issues, and his work in building the foundation for free education, were recognised by those with whom he worked and those who kept watch in those areas.
Praising his commitment to the Irish language, Dr Ó Ceallaigh recalled that Dr Hillery had set out to improve his grasp of the language when elected to the Dáil in 1951.
He mastered the spoken and written word.
Dr Ó Ceallaigh said that Dr Hillery was a 28-year-old doctor when he first encountered him on a Saturday in June 1951.
"He was going around Clare with Eamon de Valera, Seán O'Grady and many supporters canvassing for the impending general election at which he was elected," he added.
The ceremony included prayers, gospel readings and the singing of Ag Críost an Síol, A Thiarna Déan Trócaire, Ave Maria and Kilmore Carol.
The chief mourners were Dr Hillery's wife, Maeve, son John, daughter-in-law Carolyn, grandchildren Sarah Jane, Patrick, Michael and David, sister-in-law Angela, brothers-in-law Bill and David. Also present was his nephew, former TD and senator Dr Brian Hillery.
President Mary McAleese, her husband Dr Martin McAleese, and Chief Justice Mr Justice John Murray were also there.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Tánaiste and taoiseach-designate Brian Cowen were present as were Minister for Health Mary Harney, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern, Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Séamus Brennan, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Martin Cullen, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan, Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, Minister for Transport and the Marine Noel Dempsey, Minister for the Environment John Gormley, Minister for Communication, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan and Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt.
Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Pat Moylan, Leas Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, SDLP leader Mark Durkan and Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin were also there.
Former taoisigh Liam Cosgrave, Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds attended.