Mr Proinsias Mac Aonghusa was remembered as a "gallant and affectionate comrade" at his funeral service in Monkstown parish church yesterday.Hundreds of mourners attended the thanksgiving service for the life of the former broadcaster, author and Irish language campaigner.
The chief mourners were his wife, the Supreme Court judge, Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness; their children Caitríona, Dónal and Diarmaid; and his brother Micheál and sister Róisín.
The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented by her aide-de-camp, Capt Michael Treacy, while the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was represented by Capt Ger O'Grady.
The historian Dr Margaret Mac Curtain told the congregation that Mr Mac Aonghusa had scrupulously planned the details of the service. The central theme was a reassurance that there was a season for everything and that people should enjoy life as long as they lived. "That is pure Proinsias," she said.
He was defined by his sense of community, love of company and championing of equality, she said. These traits were intrinsically linked with the Connemara Gaeltacht, where he grew up.
Mr Mac Aonghusa's son Diarmaid spoke of his father's huge interest in news and current affairs and his unconditional love for his grandchildren.
Mr Mac Aonghusa had been extremely proud of his wife Catherine's achievements in the legal world, Diarmaid said.
The service was celebrated by the Rev Ferran Glenfield, with former archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey; Rev Craig McCauley; Rev Kevin Dalton and Rev Gary Hastings.
Among the mourners were the Chief Justice, Mr Ronan Keane; Mr Justice Fennelly; Ms Justice Denham; Mr Justice Ó Caoimh; Judge Peter Kelly; Judge Gerard Haughton; Judge Michael White and the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Finnegan.
RTÉ representatives included Mr Bob Collins, director general, and Mr Cathal Goan, head of television. Conradh na Gaeilge was represented by its president, Mr Séagh Mac Siurdáin, several former presidents, and current executive members, including Mr Seán Ó Drisceoil.
The Irish Times was represented by its editor, Geraldine Kennedy. Other mourners included the writer Risteard Ó Glaisne; broadcaster Ciarán Mac Mathúna; Government adviser, Ms Úna Claffey; Prof Séamas Ó Buachalla, TCD; and Father Tom Stack.
