Former president Patrick Hillery has been laid to rest after a State funeral in Dublin.
Dr Hillery was buried in St Fintan's Cemetery in Sutton this afternoon, where Taoiseach designate Brian Cowen delivered a graveside oration.
Mr Cowen said Dr Hillery's political achievements were "more impressive given the humility with which they were realised".
The widow of Dr Patrick Hillery, Maeve Hillery, is comforted by President Mary McAleese at St Fintans Cemetery, Sutton. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA Wire
"As a people we are not given to celebrate the exceptional in our midst. At least not until he or she whom we wish to laud has passed to their eternal reward," Mr Cowen told mourners.
"Paddy Hillery was one such exceptional figure in Irish life. He sculpted his political career quietly but no less effectively for that. Each impression that he carved was rooted in meeting in full, his obligations to all his fellow citizens."
Mr Cowen spoke about Dr Hillery's time as Minister for Foreign Affairs during difficult times in Northern Ireland and negotiating Ireland's entry into the European Union.
He was noble, good and attained the highest public office without seeking promotion or self-advancement, Mr Cowen said.
"If greatness is judged by the content of character — we stand at the graveside of a great man today," he said.
Requiem Mass at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral began at noon and afterwards thousands of members of the public lined the route of the funeral cortege on its way to Sutton.
President McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern read at the funeral mass where chief celebrant was Auxiliary Bishop Fiachra Ó Ceallaigh of Dublin with Fr Des Hillery, nephew of the late president; and Fr Aidan Lehane CSSp, and Auxiliary Bishop Eamonn Walsh of Dublin.
Flags on all Government buildings werer flown at half-mast until after the funeral.
At the end of the church service, the funeral cortege formed outside the Pro Cathedral and, escorted by a marching military company and band, proceeded via Beresford Place, where the band and marching military escort fell out and were replaced by a military motorcycle escort of honour.
Dr Hillery, who held the presidency for two terms from 1976, died on Saturday at the age of 84. Books of condolence have been opened at the Pro-Cathedral, Mansion House Dublin, Ennis Library, Paddy Hillery Library, Miltown Malbay and the County Council headquarters in Ennis.
Hundreds of people queued last night to pay respect to the late president, who lay in state in a closed casket in advance of today's funeral.
Mrs McAleese and Mr Ahern were among several hundred mourners who attended the removal service at the Pro-Cathedral yesterday afternoon. There was a large turnout of Government Ministers and Ministers of State, members of the Council of State, Oireachtas members and senior civil servants.
Military pallbearers brought the remains into the church. The coffin was draped in the Tricolour and, after it was put in position in front of the altar, a copy of the Bible and a framed photograph of Dr Hillery in an Aran sweater and sailing cap were placed upon it.
At the end of last night's service, mourners queued to offer their condolences to Dr Maeve Hillery and to Dr John and Carolyn Hillery and their four children, Sarah Jane, Patrick, Michael and David.
The President and Dr Martin McAleese were first to offer their sympathy along with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, former taoisigh Liam Cosgrave, Garret FitzGerald and Albert Reynolds; Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny; Labour leader Eamon Gilmore; SDLP leader Mark Durkan; former European commissioners Ray MacSharry and Michael O'Kennedy; Leas-Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin (representing the Ceann Comhairle) and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Pat Moylan.
The Council of State, which advises the President, was also strongly represented, as well as the judiciary and the highest levels of the civil service.