DR Colm O hEocha's many contributions to Irish academic, cultural and political life were recalled at his funeral yesterday in Galway Cathedral.
About 100 members of the academic community in University College Galway marched in a solemn procession from the university to the cathedral for the funeral Mass. They included most members of the college's academic council and were led by the UCG president, Dr Patrick Fottrell.
The chief celebrant of the Mass, Father Eustice Hayden, said Dr O hEocha had brought a courtesy and graciousness from his home and family into his academic life, firstly as a professor of biochemistry and later as president of UCG.
Dr O hEocha would be remembered for his self effacing role as chairman of the New Ireland Forum, in seeking to achieve an agreed nationalist position on a Northern Ireland settlement.
Concelebrants at the funeral Mass included the Most Rev James McLaughlin, Bishop of Galway; the president of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Father Dermot Farrell; Abbot Christopher of Glenstal Abbey; and UCG chaplains Father Michael Bailey and Father Gerry Jennings.
The mourners were led by Dr O hEocha's widow, Daiden; his children Nessa, Seamus, Orla, Aedin, Colm Macdara and Aislinn, and by his brother, Aonghus.
The President, Mrs Robinson, was represented by her aide de camp, Capt Pauline O'Connell. The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, was represented by his aide de camp, Capt Maurice McQuillan. The Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, represented the Government.
The large body of mourners from UCG were led by Dr Fottrell, who is also Vice Chancellor of the National University of Ireland. They included the registrar, Prof Matthew McCarthy; the college's two vice presidents, Prof Frank Inbush and Dr Ruth Curtis; and the secretary for academic affairs, Dr Seamus Mac Mathuna.
Other UCG mourners included deans of faculty, heads of department and administrative and clerical staff.
The NUI was represented by Dr Fottrell and by its registrar, Dr John Nolan. Former colleagues of Dr O hEocha from academic life included the Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Tom Mitchell; the Master of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Dr William Smyth; the president of University College Cork, Dr Michael Mortell; and the president of Dublin City University, Dr Danny O'Hare.
The former NUI chancellor, Dr Ken Whitaker, was also in attendance, as was the Secretary of the Department of Education, Dr Don Thornhill, and the chairman of the Higher Education Authority, Mr Noel Lindsey.
The Arts Council was represented by its chairman, Dr Ciaran Benson; the drama officer, Mr Phelim Donlon; and two council members, Mr Padhraic Breathnach and the former Tanaiste, Mr John Wilson.
Local political representatives included Cllr Padraig McCormack TD; Mr Bobby Molloy TD, and Senator Frank Fahey. Almost all the members of Galway Corporation attended, including the Mayor, Councillor John Mulholland.
Other mourners included the ceannasai of Teilifis na Gaeilge, Mr Cathal Qoan, and the chief executive of Udaras na Gaeltachta, Mr Ruan O Brie.
After Mass, in recognition of the close links established between "town and gown" during Dr O hEocha's tenure as president, members of the corporation marched in formal procession behind the hearse to the college.