This article is from page 49 of the 2008-04-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 49 JPG
THE late Dr Hillery has been de- scribed by the Mayor of Clare as a consummate statesman and wonder- ful ambassador for Clare and Ire- land.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy said she was saddened to hear of the 84-year-old’s passing and that Dr Hillery would be best remembered for delivering the stability the coun- try required from the office of the President during both his terms.
“The mid-1970s was a turbulent time for the Irish Presidency. Presi- dent Erskine Childers died in of- fice in 1974 and two years later his successor, Cearbhall O’Dalaigh, re- signed the position. A stable Presi- dency was required for the country, and with Hillery’s period as E.E.C. Commissioner coming to an end, he was invited to put his name forward as the Fianna Fail candidate in the upcoming Presidential election.
Though reluctant, Dr Hillery put his country first and accepted the nomi- nation and was an immensely popu- lar President at home and abroad.
‘ Wherever he went, he brought a wonderful sense of responsibility and pride in the country he was rep- resenting. The remarkable list of hon- ours and decorations he was awarded during his two terms as President is testament to his popularity and the high regard in which he was held”, she added.
“Besides spending every summer at his family home in Spanish Point, I know that Dr Hillery was very in- terested in the exploits of Clare’s football and hurling teams. As a west Clare man he was especially delighted to see the Clare footballers win the Munster Championship in
1992. He was also very proud of the fact that Clare won the All-Ireland Hurling Championship in 1995 and 1997”, the Mayor said.
County Manager Alec Fleming said Dr. Hillery was one of Ireland’s most loved Statesmen who will always be remembered for his humility, ability to communicate with all people and, most of all, his love for his country and his native County Clare. Indeed, Clare County Council was honoured to hold a Civic reception for Dr. Hillery and for the past three years, his two terms as President have been profiled and celebrated in one of Clare Museum’s most successful ever exhibitions”.
Clare Museum Curator John Rat- tigan said that since the summer of 2000, the museum received in instal- ments, a large collection of presen- tations and gifts made to Dr Patrick Hillery while carrying out his public duties during a political career, which spanned from 1951-1990. These now form part of one of the most success- ful exhibitions ever hosted by the museum.
“Clare people have shown a great affection for and interest in Dr. Hillery’s career achievements. [| know from speaking with many of the thousands of people who vis- ited the exhibition that they are hon- oured to describe the late Dr. Patrick Hillery as one of their own”
“Personally, during my many en- counters with Dr Hillery I found him to be down to earth and approach- able. Having organised an exhibition on his life, I learned that he was also an extremely astute politician. These wonderful qualities combined made Dr Hillery an outstanding individual and President,’ concluded Mr. Rat- whee n ee