More than 1,000 people gathered at St James' Church in Killorglin, Co Kerry, yesterday for the concelebrated funeral Mass of a man with cystic fibrosis, Mr Billy Burke, who had campaigned for a lung transplant for four years.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was represented by Cmdt Michael Murray.
The attendance also included the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, as well as local politicians and GAA figures, including former Kerry footballer Mick O'Connell.
The Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, was unable to attend and sent a message of sympathy.
Hundreds of organ donor cards were distributed to mourners at the church entrance.
Father Michael Fleming, parish priest of Killorglin and chief celebrant, said the best way of remembering Billy (29), along with prayers for him, would be to carry a donor card.
"That was his fight, that was his wish," said Father Fleming, one of eight priests who celebrated the requiem Mass.
Mr Burke's "courage and determination" and his refusal to complain was always evident since his condition worsened some four and a half years ago, when he had been sorely tested by illness, Father Fleming said.
"His willingness to fight for life was not only for himself, but for his fellow sufferers," Father Fleming said.
Billy had said "hope" had kept him going and he bore his sufferings with great patience, the priest added.
"As followers of Christ, we are all asked to carry the Cross, to undergo trials and tribulations before entering into the His risen glory, His risen life."
Mr Burke had become a household name and had enough support to win many elections and any election, Father Fleming said.
"Billy wasn't one for hiding anything. He won the hearts and admiration of all and was the envy of many the way he lived with that illness," the priest said.
A reading from the Book of Wisdom said a virtuous man who died before his time would find rest and it was not the length of days that made life honourable.
Prayers of the faithful, narrated by family and friends, were offered for all those who suffered with cystic fibrosis, for Mr Burke's many friends, for St Vincent's private and public hospitals and the Mater hospital, and their staff, for the sick and unwell as well as his family.
At the end of the Mass, when the priests had left the altar, Mr Burke's sister, Ms Lisa Burke (31), paid tribute to their mother, Ms Mary Burke.
Without her care for her son he would never have lived this long, she said. Billy's struggle had not been in vain; he had touched the hearts of so many, Ms Burke said.
Her brother had been her "inspiration and guiding light", Ms Regina Burke (22), his younger sister, said.
Long lines of mourners formed after the Mass to offer sympathy to Mr Burke's family who included his mother Mary, father Liam, and sisters Lisa and Regina along with his brother-in-law Mr John Joyce.
A guard of honour was provided by his former secondary school the Intermediate School, Killorglin.
Mr Burke was buried at nearby Milltown Cemetery.