Cavan paid tribute to one of its own yesterday when Cardinal Seán Brady was accorded a civic welcome by the local county council.
Minister of State for Children Brendan Smith led the local political dignitaries when he praised the new cardinal.
"This is a great day for the people of Cavan, for the people of Breifne, for the people of the diocese of Kilmore, as we celebrate Cardinal Brady's elevation to the College of Cardinals," he said.
Chairman of Cavan County Council Francis McDermott recalled how he had attended the ceremonies in Rome when Dr Brady was elevated to be a cardinal.
"It was an honour then, and today it is an ever greater honour, on behalf of the people of Cavan, to publicly congratulate Seán Brady and salute his great achievements," he said.
The audience heard how the native of Laragh was a distinguished churchman and an accomplished county GAA footballer. Cardinal Brady was having none of it. "May the Lord forgive you for your exaggerations," he said, to loud laughter at the civic reception.
Later at a Mass in the Cathedral of St Patrick and Felim in Cavan town, Cardinal Brady said that the location had many wonderful memories for him. The cathedral was charged with lots of different emotions, he said, memories of bygone days and of people who had played significant parts in his life, memories of great ceremonies and great celebrations.
He added that Cavan town was also special for him. He said that in St Patrick's College he had lived 18 of the best and happiest years of his life.
"In this town, I made many deep and lasting friendships. For all of this, I am immensely grateful."
He thanked Cavan County Council for according him a civic reception as well as Mr Smith and the other public representatives who had come along.
"Of course I am delighted to see the priests of Kilmore and elsewhere here in such numbers and the religious and the lay faithful from so many parishes," he said.
"I thank you all for coming out on this December day. I thank you for your good wishes, your congratulations and your prayers. Above all, I thank you for your love."
Cardinal Brady spoke of his family's political links to the area.
"For the first 16 years of my life, Cavan County Council occupied a not insignificant place in the life of our family. My father was a member for the Bailieborough electoral division. My uncle, Terence J Smith, represented the Cavan electoral division, my mother's first cousin, John P McKiernan represented the Ballyjamesduff area. So to say that we were interested in what went on in this chamber would be a slight understatement."
An Army guard of honour welcomed Cardinal Brady to the civic reception. Flags festooned the entrance to the Cathedral which contained a large banner, "Congratulations, Cardinal Brady".
The Cardinal said: "Today, I thank God that this diocese of my birth, formation and early priesthood has such people in abundance. There have been many John the Baptists in my life, witnesses to the goodness of God who prepared the way of the Lord in my mind and heart.
"Without them I would not be here today. That is why it is appropriate that I return to this, my first home, to the people of my birth and clan and give thanks with you and for you."
Cardinal Brady said he thanked God for the gift of growing up in Cavan. "It was here, amidst the myths and legends of Breifne, that I learned to hear the calm of that still small voice of God, it was here that I learned of the hope that faith can bring."