President and Taoiseach join mourners at funeral of former tánaiste
The President and Taoiseach joined hundreds of mourners at today’s funeral Mass for former tánaiste Peter Barry.
Michael D Higgins and Enda Kenny led tributes at the weekend to the former deputy leader of Fine Gael.
He was also seen as a key architect of the 1985 Anglo Irish Agreement, following his death in Cork’s Marymount Hospice on Friday, after a short illness. He was 88.
Beautiful service to mark the passing of one of #Cork's great businessmen & public representatives. Peter Barry will be greatly missed.
— Ken Curtin 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@kencurtin) August 29, 2016
A large crowd of mourners, led by his children, Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune, Tony, Fiona, Donagh, Conor, and Peter, attended his removal from O’Connor’s funeral home in Cork city on Saturday.
Mr Barry’s remains were carried from the funeral home by some of his 21 grandchildren, before being taken to his local church, St Michael’s in Blackrock, where Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Kieran Twomey this morning.
Mr Barry was laid to rest alongside his wife Margaret, who died in 2013.
As well as spearheading the expansion of the family business, Barry’s Tea, Mr Barry served as TD for Cork South Central from 1969 to 1997 and held four cabinet positions, including minister for foreign affairs.
President Michael D. Higgins arriving for the funeral mass of former Tánaiste and Minister Peter Barry in #Cork pic.twitter.com/W5hYcp6rCr
— Paschal Sheehy (@PaschalSheehy) August 29, 2016
Mr Barry, who followed in his father Anthony’s footsteps to be elected Lord Mayor of Cork in 1970, was granted the freedom of Cork in 2010 by the then lord mayor and current European Affairs Minister, Dara Murphy.
Describing the honour as ‘long overdue’, Mr Murphy said he wanted to recognise Mr Barry’s lifelong dedication to the service of his country and community, his business acumen and philanthropic endeavours.
