Liam Toibín, who died on September 20th, was the Secretary of the Department of the Gaeltacht, spanning the entire era of transition of the Irish-speaking areas, from being very poor areas in serious decline to their emergence as economically viable and culturally vibrant regions.
His passion for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht found true expression during his 21 years as ard rúnaí (secretary-general) Roinn na Gaeltachta - from 1964 to 1985, possibly the longest tenure of a government Department secretary in the history of the State.
Liam Toibín was born and grew up on a farm near Kilworth, Co Cork, and attended St Colman's school in Fermoy. In the Leaving Certificate in 1937, he came first in Ireland and won a scholarship to study engineering at UCC.
His classmate in first year was the late Paddy Quinlan (subsequently professor of maths physics at UCC and long-serving NUI senator). The pair became lifelong best friends.
He was offered a job in the Civil Service which he accepted and, on November 23rd, 1938, he began his long and illustrious career. Spells in Revenue and the Land Commission preceded a promotion to Assistant Secretary in the Department of Fisheries at the young age of 41.
His energy, ability and love of the Irish language ensured he was a natural choice as Secretary of the Department of the Gaeltacht in 1963.
A modest man, he shared the beliefs of the founding fathers of the nation that service was not about personal reward but about building a state to support all its people - and one where the Irish language and culture could flourish.
He served under seven ministers (George Colley, Padraig Faulkner, Michael Ó Moráin, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Donncha Ó Gallchóir, Tom O'Donnell and Pádraig Flynn) and worked with each to enhance the economic and cultural life of all the Gaeltacht areas.
His initial task in 1963 was the implementation of the Government White Paper, The Commission on Irish - and persuasion of the Department of Finance to fund it.
His energy and drive touched every aspect of Gaeltacht life. He developed the framework for Údarás na Gaeltachta to flourish and supported the programme of advance factories and strongly promoted industrial and tourism developments.
Group water schemes, island electrical schemes, improved housing, Irish college for schoolchildren, roads, harbours and airports (e.g. Carrickfin, Co Donegal) were all brought to fruition during his tenure at the helm. He was a strong believer in self-help for the Gaeltacht and was firmly behind many of the successful co-operatives that came into being in the 1970s and are still flourishing to this day.
Liam Toibín was influential in the cultural aspects of Irish and the promotion of it as a living language. He worked with Gael Linn and other organisations to promote the language's everyday use.
Liam's family - his wife Helen (née Gallery) and children, Mary and David, were the other deep love of his life. Many happy family holidays were spent in the Gaeltacht. He swam daily at Seapoint - summer and winter - and swore by the benefits of the Irish Sea for physical and mental health - as testified by the fact that he went 32 years without a single sick day!
Like many young civil servants of the day, Liam and Helen bought their first house in Mount Merrion in 1950 and lived happily in the same home and neighbourhood all their lives.
At his funeral Mass, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mr Éamon Ó Cuív spoke of him:
"Chuir mé aithne ar Liam Toibín mar bhainisteoir óg ar Chomhar Chumann Dhúiche Sheoigeach i 1974. Is iomaí caidreamh a bhí agam leis ón am sin go deireadh a ré mar Rúnaí Roinne. Fear láidir ar chuile bhealach a bhí ann ach fear cinéalta freisin. Cé go mbíodh comhairle láidir le cur aige ar na bainisteoirí Comhar Chumainn, thuig sé a gcás agus chomharlaigh sé d'Airí tacú leo."
He is survived by his wife Helen and children, Mary and David.
Liam Toibín: born January 8th, 1920, died September 20th, 2003.