Ireland held a state funeral here on Monday for the late Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Albert Reynolds, who died last Thursday at age of 81.

Hundreds of politicians, business figures and dignitaries attended the requiem mass at Dublin's Sacred Heart Church.

Among those present included Ireland's President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, former President Mary McAleese and former Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Former British Prime Minister John Major, who described Reynolds as a "remarkable friend", were also among the dignitaries in attendance.

Both the men are praised for making important contributions to the Northern Ireland peace process. Reynolds had a very good relationship with Major.

The coffin sat in front of the altar for the mass, draped in the Irish tricolor national flag.

Several gifts offered up by Reynolds's grandchildren in the service included a book of cloakroom tickets representing his time in the showband era, a 1963 train carriage for his time working with Ireland's transport agency and and a tin of dog food representing his successful pet food business.

A photograph of Reynolds was printed on the mass booklet along with the quotation from American theologian and author James Freeman Clarke: "A politician thinks about the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation."

Monday's mass was celebrated by Father Brian D'Arcy, one of Ireland's best-known clerics. Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolence, which was read at the mass by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin.

Reynolds's daughter Andrea read a reflection while his son, Philip, gave the eulogy. The late taoiseach's sister Teresa and brother Jim also attended the mass.

At the ceremony, D'Arcy praised Reynolds as a peacemaker with a sincere interest in breaking the cycle of political violence in Northern Ireland long before he came to power.

"Albert thought deeply about violence. He knew peace is more than absence of war but he knew that peace could not take root until the violence stops," D'Arcy said.

"For him peace was the only battle worth waging. He knew that peace was not achieved only by talking to your friends, you must talk to your enemies and make peace with them."

Eimear Quinn, Red Hurley, Paddy Cole, Eamon Monaghan and Dublin's famous Palestrina Choir were among the singers and musicians participating in the ceremony.

Singer Quinn sang the responsorial psalm accompanied by the Palestrina Choir and soloist John McKeown the Gospel acclamation.

In a tribute to the happy marriage between the former Taoiseach and his wife Kathleen Reynolds, Ireland's renowned musicians and original Capitol Showband members Cole and Monaghan came together again to play Acker Bilk's hit song, Stranger on the Shore, during the communion reflection.

The song was playing when Reynolds and Kathleen first met. It was one of several moving personal touches at the ceremony.

In the mass book, there is a loving photo of the couple in happier times, accompanied by the quote: "Marrying Kathleen was the best decision of my life".

At the end of the mass, Archbishop Martin gave the final commendation, saying that Reynolds was "responsive and creative and determined in his desire to move forward in the search for peace and for a more just, secure and prosperous society".

"He sought peace with determination. Today we urgently need an international community which seeks peace with similar determination at a moment in which our world is marked increasingly by horrendous violence," he said.

"In a special way Albert has been remembered for the warmth and care and personal goodness of his human qualities and his devotion to his wife and family," said the archbishop.

After the mass, the funeral cortege proceeded to Shanganagh Cemetery in Shankill, a southern suburb of Dublin. The hearse was escorted by military motorcycle outriders drawn from the Second Cavalry Squadron at Cathal Brugha barracks in south Dublin.

Reynolds was buried in the cemetery with full military honors. His coffin was carried by soldiers of the Defense Forces of Ireland. At Reynolds' graveside, honor guards did a three-shot rifle salute before he was lowered into the ground.

The former Taoiseach, who played an important part in the Northern Ireland peace process, died in the early hours of Thursday morning at his Dublin home following a long illness.

Reynolds is survived by his wife Kathleen, two sons and five daughters.

His family said last year that he had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Reynolds served as Taoiseach from February 1992 to December 1994. As Taoiseach, one of Reynolds's main achievements was the advancement in the Northern Ireland peace process.

"As Taoiseach, he played an important part in bringing together differing strands of political opinion in Northern Ireland and as a consequence made an important contribution to the development of the peace process which eventually lead to the Good Friday Agreement," Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said.

The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process of the 1990s. The agreement is made up of two inter-related documents, both agreed in Belfast on Good Friday, April 10, 1998.

Reynolds was born in Rooskey in County Roscommon, 134 km from Dublin. Before entering politics, he was involved in the dance hall and pet food businesses. He was elected a member of parliament in 1977 at the age of 45. In the 1980s, he became minister for finance.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)