The worlds of journalism, politics and the women's movement were represented at the removal and burial of Mary Cummins in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, yesterday.
Friends and neighbours of the late Irish Times journalist attended both the funeral parlour and the church on Monday evening for the removal. Most of them had been there two days earlier for the funeral of her mother, who died on Friday. Ms Cummins died the morning after her mother's funeral.
The mourners were led by her daughter, Daisy, by her sisters, Kathleen and Sheila, brothers, Liam and Patrick, and by her nieces and nephews, who led prayers during the service.
At the funeral Mass yesterday a crowded church heard the parish priest of Ballybunion, Father Martin Hegarty, pay tribute to Ms Cummins for her attachment to the town, the great contribution she had made to journalism and for the encouragement she had given to her daughter, Daisy.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was represented by his ADC, Capt Michael Kiernan, and the funeral was also attended by the former Fine Gael TD, Ms Nuala Fennell, and by retired judge Ms Mary Kotsonouris.
Maj T.B. McDowell, chairman of The Irish Times Trust Ltd, and Mr Don Reid, chairman of The Irish Times Ltd, were represented by the company secretary, Mr Iain Pratt.
The editor of The Irish Times, Mr Conor Brady, attended the removal to St John's Church, Ballybunion, on Tuesday evening, as did Mr Pat O'Hara, director and managing editor.
The Irish Times Ltd was also represented by directors Mrs Karen Erwin, group general counsel, also representing Mr Nicholas Chapman, managing director; and Mr Michael Austen, director of human resources.
The political editor, Ms Geraldine Kennedy, and the news editor, Mr Niall Kiely, were present at the removal.
Colleagues and former colleagues who attended also included Mr Sean Olson, associate editor, and Mr Seamus Martin, editor of electronic editions, Ms Mary Maher, Ms Mary Holland and Ms Helen Gygax as well as Mr Paul Cullen and Ms Marie O'Halloran from the newsroom.
The removal was attended by Ms Olive Braiden of the Rape Crisis Centre and her husband, Sean, and by lecturer Ms Patsy Murphy, who were also present at the funeral yesterday.
The Irish Times chapel of the NUJ was represented by its father of the chapel, Mr Pat McGoldrick.
Other journalists and friends of Ms Cummins present included Mr James Downey of the Irish Independent, columnist Ms Mary Kenny and Ms Mary Sheerin, information officer in the Department of Public Enterprise.