The president of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Juan Antonio Samaranch, was among the large crowd of mourners who assembled for the Requiem Mass for Lord Killanin in Rathmines, Dublin, yesterday. He will be buried in Spiddal, Co Galway, today.
The mourners were led by Lord Killanin's widow, his children, Redmond, John, Michael and Deborah, and his eight grandchildren. The President, who attended his removal on Wednesday, was represented by her aide-de-camp, Comdt Dermot O'Connor, and the Taoiseach, who was also present on Wednesday, by Comdt Oisin Cahill.
People from the worlds of sport, especially racing, journalism and the arts filled the Church of Mary Immaculate Refuge of Sinners on both days. They heard the parish priest, Father Aidan Burke, describe Lord Killanin as a simple man, who lived locally and enjoyed talking to people as he walked his dog.
He also embodied many talents, Father Burke said. A big man physically, he was involved in sport, in journalism and in music. For eight years he was president of the International Olympic Committee, years which saw such difficult times as the massacre of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics and the boycott of the Montreal Olympics. "He was a man of quiet patience," he said. "He was not susceptible to influence. He did what he thought was right. He was proud to be Irish, proud to be from Galway." He paid tribute to the carers who had looked after Lord Killanin when his health failed, and to his wife for her devotion during his illness.
The Mass was concelebrated by Father Ernan Neville, parish priest of University Church, where Lord Killanin was married.
The Mass was accompanied by music from De Danaan, including Frankie Gavin.
Among those who paid their respects yesterday and Wednesday were two former Taoisigh, Mr Liam Cosgrave and Dr Garret FitzGerald; former senators, Mr Eoin Ryan and Dr George Eogan; the former Garda commissioner, Mr Eamonn Doherty; Mr Pat Hickey, the president of the Olympic Council of Ireland, and other members of its executive committee; the film-maker Mr Eamon de Buitleir; the journalist Mr Proinsias Mac Aonghusa; the broadcasters Mr Dermot Mullane and Mr Cathal O'Shannon; Mr Tadhg O hEalaithe, secretary-general of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, and representatives of An Taisce and the Heritage Council of Ireland.