Kinsealy ceremonies: A long queue formed to pay respect to the former taoiseach, writes Christine Newman
Former taoiseach Charles Haughey made his final journey yesterday from his beloved Abbeville mansion in Kinsealy to the strains of a lone piper playing Raglan Road, one of his favourite songs.
Just after 10.30am a Defence Forces ceremony took place in the mansion for the formal handing over of the body to the State for the funeral.
An Army military police bearer party, under the command of Sgt John McGlinchy, placed the Tricolour on the coffin. Naval Service officers, under Cdr Pat McNulty, rendered honours and gave the salute as the coffin was carried from the house.
At 10.45am, 18 Army escort riders from the 2nd Cavalry Squadron, under Lieut Melissa Hogan, moved into place in front of and behind the hearse, and the three black Mercedes funeral cars and the procession moved away from the house.
Members of Mr Haughey's family, including his four children, Eimear Mulhern, Conor, Ciaran and Seán, followed in the funeral cars.
His widow, Maureen Haughey, remained in the mansion.
Along either side of the driveway 40 local friends and neighbours of Mr Haughey formed a guard of honour.
As the funeral cortege moved slowly between them, a lone piper, Michael Dawson of the Malahide Pipe Band, played Raglan Road followed by other songs that were among Mr Haughey's favourites including two boating songs, Steal Away and Waters Wild.
The tribute was organised by Barbara Foley of the Lar Foley cumann. Ms Foley, a daughter of the late Lar Foley, a leading figure in Dublin GAA circles who owned a farm near Abbeville, said members of other cumainn had also attended.
As the cortege turned out on to the main Malahide road, all traffic was stopped as Mr Haughey left his home for the final time and was taken on the short journey to Our Lady of Consolation Church in Donnycarney.
Overseeing the events was Garda Supt Noel McLaughlin for the Malahide, Swords and Coolock division.
"I was a young garda in Coolock when Mr Haughey first moved to Abbeville and now I'm here organising his funeral," Supt McLaughlin said.
By 11am, when the cortege arrived at the church, a long queue had already formed to view the lying-in-state. People had started arriving as early as 8.55am.
Many in the queue were elderly and of Mr Haughey's era. As well as the local people from his former constituency, people had travelled from all over the State to pay their last respects.
The church, where the railings were covered in black drapes, was closed for half an hour while the coffin was brought in and the family had a few private moments.
When they left, just before 11.30am, the doors were opened and people filed through the main body of the church to the mortuary chapel at the side.
One of the first people in the queue was former Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn. Also among those in the first group was Joe Sherlock, a Labour Party TD.
In the bright chapel, Mr Haughey lay, a slight figure dressed in a navy suit, with a light blue shirt and a darker blue silk tie. In his hands he clutched green rosary beads.
In the first hour about a thousand people passed through the chapel, after which many more arrived in a steady trickle. Most signed one of the eight books of condolence and lit candles.
Many praised Mr Haughey and said he did a lot of good, often mentioning the free travel. Among them was former Fianna Fáil TD Martin O'Toole, who had travelled from Westmeath with his wife, Breege. There were the local people too, including Mary O'Donohue from North Strand, Gladys O'Donovan from Marino, Carmel O'Callaghan from Raheny, and pensioner John Condon.
John Tyne had travelled from near Thurles in north Tipperary and said he first met Mr Haughey 50 years ago at a Fianna Fáil Ardfheis. From Conna, Co Cork, was Angela Davern from the local Fianna Fáil cumman with Marie Byrne, from Fermoy, and Mairead O'Donovan.
Among the wreaths outside were two that were indicative of Mr Haughey's diverse interests. One stated: "With sympathy and in appreciation of your involvement with the Central Remedial Clinic. From the governors".
Another said: "Charlie, with fond memories and our deepest sympathy from all in the Irish Horse Trials Society."