Eilis McDowell, the last surviving daughter of Eoin MacNeill, was buried in Dublin on Saturday. She died at her home in Pembroke Cottages, Dundrum, last Wednesday, aged 88.
She inherited a keen interest in public affairs from her father, a founder and later chief of staff of the Irish Volunteers and Minister for Education in the first Free State government. She was an independent-minded and popular member of a family with academic, legal and political connections. Her son, Michael, is Attorney General and a former Progressive Democrats' TD.
At her funeral Mass, in Terenure College Chapel, Mr McDowell spoke of his mother's lack of interest in material things and her commitment to family. The Mass was celebrated by the college sub-prior, Father Patrick Smyth. Those in attendance at the removal of the remains to the church last Friday and the funeral Mass, included the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern; the Tánaiste, Ms Harney; and two former Taoisigh, Mr Liam Cosgrave and Dr Garret FitzGerald. The President, Mrs McAleese, was represented by her Aide-de-camp, Comdt Dermot O'Connor.
The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern; the Minister for Tourism and Sport, Dr McDaid; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell; and the Government Chief Whip, Mr Séamus Brennan, were also there.
Also present from the Oireachtas were Mr Brian Lenihan TD; Mr Des O'Malley TD; Ms Frances Fitzgerald TD; and Senators Maurice Manning, Jim Gibbons, Liam Cosgrave and John Dardis. The Chief Justice, Mr Justice Keane, and Mrs Justice Denham were present, as were Prof Tom Garvin, of UCD; Ms Geraldine Kennedy, political editor of The Irish Times; and the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne.
Mrs McDowell is survived by her sons, Michael, Anthony and Moore, and her daughter, Louise. She was predeceased by her husband, Tony, and daughter, Bairbre.