Hundreds of mourners turned out in Dublin today to pay their final respects to distinguished Irish Timesjournalist Mary Holland, who died on Tuesday morning aged 68.
Family, friends, and representatives from the worlds of politics and journalism packed the Baroque Chapel in Kilmainham Hospital for today's humanist service.
The late Mary Holland, who died on Tuesday
The Irish TimesEditor, Ms Geraldine Kennedy, told the congregation Ms Holland's death had left the newspaper "bereft".
"She engaged and empathised with people. . . . She had compassion for people, time for them", Ms Kennedy said.
"She made a unique contribution to her country. She interfered with our comfort zones and challenged all of us."
Referring to Ms Holland's wish to see the peace process come to fruition, Ms Kennedy said: "It is up to those leaders who appreciate her contribution to ensure her dreams are fulfilled."
Ronnie Drew closed the ceremony with a song, The Parting Glass, and the coffin was carried outside by relatives and friends including Mr McCann, Mr Holland, Mr Julian Behal and a nephew, Mr Patrick Holland.
The Taoiseach was represented by his aide-de-camp, Comdt Michael Murray. Other mourners included the Tánaiste, Ms Harney; two former Taoisigh, Dr Garret FitzGerald and Mr Albert Reynolds; Mr Sean Donlon, a former ambassador to the US; Mr Noel Dorr, a former ambassador to the UN; Mr Dermot Gallagher, former ambassador to the US and now secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs; three founder members of the SDLP, Mr Ivan Cooper, Lord Fitt and Mr Austin Currie; former attorney general Mr John Rogers; Minister of State Mr Tom Kitt; the deputy Labour Party leader, Ms Liz McManus; the former Labour leader, Mr Ruairí Quinn; the former Fine Gael minister, Ms Nora Owen; Sen Maurice Hayes; Labour TD Ms Joan Burton; and the former ombudsman, Mr Michael Mills.
Writers Maeve Binchy, Gordon Snell, Evelyn Conlon, Jennifer Johnston, Mary Kenny, Nuala Ó Faoláin, Mary Maher and Anthony Cronin were among the mourners, as was Ms Olive Braiden, chairwoman of the Arts Council. Along with the editor The Irish Times was represented by the managing director, Ms Maeve Donovan, and a former editor, Mr Conor Brady.
She is survived by her son Luke, daughter Kitty, former partner Mr Eamonn McCann, and granddaughter Rosie.
Former SDLP leader Mr John Hume told mourners that Ms Holland was "a most honest and trustworthy journalist and an invaluable source of wisdom and clarity".
Ms Holland, who was born in Dover but grew up in Co Cork, died in St Vincent's Hospital after a long battle with the degenerative tissue disease scleroderma.
During her career as a reporter, columnist and broadcaster she won many awards for her work highlighting social injustice and civil rights, particularly for women.
Her long career saw her working for RTÉ, the Sunday Tribune, the Observer, Vogueand the New Statesman. She was also a co-founder of Magillmagazine.