Unique offertory gifts carried by grandchildren

The grandchildren of former taoiseach Albert Reynolds carried a series of distinctively personal offertory gifts at the requiem Mass yesterday.

The eldest grandchild Robert Reynolds (22), son of Philip Reynolds, brought the Award of Freedom of Longford which Mr Reynolds received in September 2007.

Four-year-old Harry Maloney, son of Mr Reynolds’s daughter Cathy, brought a book of tickets to mark his years as a music promoter.

Harry’s sister, Anna Rose Maloney (3), carried a 1963 CIÉ carriage representing Mr Reynolds’s time as a railway clerk, while the 14-year-old daughter of Albert Jnr, Kaitlin Reynolds, brought a telephone representing his transformation of the State’s communications system.

Heidi Fogarty (11), daughter of Miriam, carried a family photograph taken in 1980 in Longford which captured many of the enjoyable times family members had together.

Four-year-old Mia Crilly, Emer’s daughter, brought a deck of cards representing her grandfather’s well-known poker skills and love of the game.

Phoebe Fogarty (12), also a daughter of Miriam, brought her grandfather’s treasured copy of the 1993 Downing Street Declaration.

Jack Reynolds (10), son of Albert Jnr, brought a GAA ball and sliotar because the late Mr Reynolds loved Gaelic games.

Six-year-old Charlie Maloney, son of Cathy, carried a copy of Mr Reynolds's autobiography, My Autobiography, published in 2009.

Mark Reynolds (16), son of Philip, brought a tin of dog food. This unusual gift represented Mr Reynolds's business success in starting and growing C&D Foods. Sarah Reynolds (9), daughter of Albert Jnr, brought a racing card representing his enthusiasm for horseracing. Finally, Stephanie Reynolds (20), Philip's daughter, brought a copy of the Longford News representing his many business interests in the town and county.