Ecumenist and retired Church of Ireland bishop of Ferns, Cashel and Ossory, Dr Noel Willoughby, was buried yesterday in the grounds of the cathedral he was responsible for restoring during the mid-1980s.
The main celebrants at his funeral service in a packed St Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny were the Most Rev John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin, and the Most Rev Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
The preacher was Dr Walton Empey, retired archbishop of Dublin, who spoke warmly about his friend. He mentioned Dr Willoughby's mischievous sense of humour and how they both hated church meetings.
He recalled the hospitality of Dr Willoughby and his wife, Valerie, while they lived in the Bishop's Palace, Coach Road, Kilkenny.
Dr Eames noted that the diocese was a leader when it came to interfaith marriages and said this owed much to the deep friendship between Dr Willoughby and the Catholic Bishop of Ossory, Dr Laurence Forristal.
"He was very loyal to the traditions and practices of his own church and at the same time showed a deep respect for me and the Catholic community," Dr Forristal said.
President Mary McAleese was represented by her aide-de-camp, Capt Lorraine Fahy.
Dr Forristal attended along with the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Dr John Buckley, and representatives from the Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
Also there were the Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr Marie Fitzpatrick; the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Hilary Quinlan; and the Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Tommy Carr.
Dr Willoughby is survived by his wife, Valerie; sons Paul and Tim; daughter Ros; brother Charles; sisters Iris and Lena; daughters-in-laws Amanda and Rhonda; son-in-law Dermot; grandchildren, other relatives and friends.