They came in their hundreds from the four corners of Ireland yesterday to Boherlahan, in Co Tipperary, to bury Mr T.J. Maher (79) who was described as "a rural revolutionary" at his graveside.
The former leader of the Irish Farmers' Association and MEP would be the last man to accept that the revolution he started in the 1960's had been completed, said Mr Alan Dukes of Fine Gael in his oration. He spoke of the former IFA leader as a man who had inspired all of those who came into contact with him and had lit a flame which was still burning.
Mr Dukes said the late Mr Maher had taken over the leadership of the Irish Farmers' Association after what must have been one of the most turbulent periods in the history of any organisation. "He himself was part of that turbulence because he had been one of the firebrands of the dairy committee of the National Farmers' Association," he said.
And having established an organisation that could work for the betterment of the farming community he went on to inspire others to make sure it would work and continue to work, said Mr Dukes.
Mr Dukes, who had worked for Mr Maher while he was president of the IFA, said he was the first leader of the IFA to show urban people the value and the worth of the farming community. But, he said, he also had another side. He professed to be a simple man with simple beliefs and he knew he had a life-long pursuit of knowledge.
Earlier in the crowded church, leaders of church and State had gathered for the Requiem Mass which was presided over by Archbishop Dermot Clifford where the chief celebrant was Father Michael Maher, CSSp, brother of the deceased.
The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented by her aide de camp, Col Brian O'Reilly and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, by his aide de comm, Capt Ger O'Grady.
The chief mourners were Mr Maher's widow, Betty, sons Thomas and Dennis and daughter, Julianne, and his grandsons, Colm and Donnadha.
They were told by Father Dennis Maher, a first cousin of the deceased, that T.J. Maher was a man of very simple tastes and great faith who had deeply held convictions.
In his homily he spoke of his love of hurling and the GAA and his commitment to the people of the Third World through the establishment of the charity Boher.
The funeral attendance included the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Walsh, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, Mr Noel Davern, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for Food and Ms Mary Hanafin, Minister of State at the Department of Health.
The leader of the Opposition, Mr Michael Noonan was also in attendance and the Munster MEP Mr John Cushnahan and local politicians from all the main political parties. There too were several past presidents of the IFA.