THE PRESIDENT and the Taoiseach were represented by their aides de camp at the funeral of businessman and horse trainer John Mulhern (70) in the Curragh, Co Kildare yesterday.
Among the large attendance from the sporting, business and political world at the funeral in St Brigid’s Church, Curragh Camp, was his friend, Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United football club.
The principal celebrant, Fr Simon Sleeman, of Glenstal Abbey, in his homily spoke of the late Mr Mulhern’s great sense of humour, kindness and decency.
He recalled how Mr Mulhern had told him one time golf was very much like religion in three specific areas. In golf as in religion, the rules were in place and were frequently broken, both attracted the same amount of shame and devotion and if women were allowed in they would destroy everything.
He said John was a man who was very modest and was all the time searching for God and he had found his place.
“He found love in his search in his love for his wife Eimear and his love of sport and young people and animals,” he said.
He said John had been uncomplaining in the last difficult months of his life and bore his illness with nobility. He joked he hoped St Peter would be ready and able for John Mulhern when he arrived.
Fr Sleeman, whose concelebrants were Fr Eoghan Haughey, OMI and Fr John Mc Donald, the local parish priest, said many would remember his generosity.
The chief mourners were his wife Eimear, sister Mary, brother Peter, his mother-in-law Maureen Haughey and her sons Conor and Sean, nieces and nephews.
The first reading was read by Mary Balfour and the second reading by his brother-in-law Sean Haughey and the offertory gifts were presented by Zita Mulhern and Maureen Mulhern.
The Vard sisters and Nóirín Ní Riain were accompanied on the organ by Derek Cremin.
In his absence, there was a eulogy from Galen Weston, delivered by his daughter Alannah and from Mike Dillon. The burial took place following requiem Mass at St Conleth’s Cemetery.