RTÉ’S MIRIAM O’Callaghan was warmly applauded by the conference for her portrayal of John Hume as “Ireland’s Greatest” in the recent television series.
Ms O’Callaghan was received onto the conference platform by former party leader Mark Durkan, who paid tribute to her and to Mr Hume, his predecessor.
Paying credit to her for the documentary film and advocacy of Mr Hume, Mr Durkan also praised Mr Hume’s wife Pat, claiming her role in Mr Hume’s political career could not be underestimated.
Turning to Mr Hume’s colleagues in the SDLP, past and present he said: “John was not able to change this country without being a leader of a party.
“It was this that helped him stick to his original analysis.”
Mr Durkan described Mr Hume as “the engine for change, the anchor for stability and the compass for change”.
In a short address to delegates, Ms O’Callaghan said that her documentary on John Hume was a “simple thank you from the people of Ireland.”