BISHOP EAMONN Walsh yesterday celebrated the funeral Mass of his school friend and emeritus professor of archaeology at UCD, Prof Barry Raftery.
Family, friends, colleagues and former students gathered in the Church of Mary Immaculate in Rathmines, Dublin, to pay tribute to Prof Raftery who was described as a “gentle giant”.
Bishop Walsh, whose resignation as auxiliary bishop of Dublin was rejected by Pope Benedict recently, gave tribute to Prof Raftery as a person “that we are here to give thanks for and could learn so much from”. Bishop Walsh hailed the world-renowned archaeologist, describing him as an “innovative and inspiring person” and a “true professional”.
He said his students held Prof Raftery in high regard and looked forward to seeing which Mr Men tie he was wearing. Indeed several members of the congregation – including at least one woman – wore those very ties.
Bishop Walsh, who attended school with Prof Raftery, remembered him as being “very bright and good fun” and said school reunions were not really complete if one didn’t meet Barry.
“He could, as he did to me often, give you a gentle reminder of childhood schoolboy days, things which you would long to forget, he would . . . say you have to face them and there’s a lesson in that. We all have to face our demons, we all have to face our shortcomings.”
Addressing Prof Raftery’s wife, Nuala, and his daughters, Sara and Tilly, Bishop Walsh said “nothing can prepare us for the numbing pain of death, even when it is expected”. However, they had nothing to regret having supported him throughout a long illness.
“Every day was precious and every day he wanted to live life to the full.”
Prof Raftery's brother-in-law Dáithí Sproule played a song, Gabham Molta Bhríde, while his lifelong friend Billy Quinn quoted Yeats: "Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends."
Following Mass, Prof Raftery’s body was brought to Glenfarne in Co Leitrim for burial.