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Jarlath Kearney: Martin McGuinness's family were at the centre of his existence

The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Derry after he died aged 66  
The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Derry after he died aged 66   The coffin of Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness is carried to his home in Derry after he died aged 66  

TINY flakes of snow, barely perceptible against the background light of the early dawn sun rising over the far mountain, are fluttering aimlessly in the outside air. They’re not falling straight, more bubbling mischievously in an uneven scatter. Each one feels like it could almost be catchable but then they dance away, teasing the air with another turn.

They’re floating on a soft, cool breeze before dropping further downwards towards the river, gently relaxed in its morning run and gleaming with spectacular golden sun reflecting off the ripples of hazel brown water.

It’s like an ancient exhibition of earth’s finest elements inspiringly painted in the momentary genius of one spectacular frame. It’s Tuesday morning. A few hours ago Martin McGuinness passed away. This would have been Martin’s type of morning. He was an outdoors person. He would have seen nature’s spiritual strength helping him along on his journey.

Over the past 30 years, I saw Martin through many lenses. I was previously a press photographer, then a political journalist. Both were roles of observation and insight. I then worked as an adviser to Martin and his ministerial team for six years after the political institutions were restored in 2007. And for most of 20 years, I lived a few streets away from him – regularly bumping into him in the street, at the shop, at events.

The greatest quality of Martin’s character was probably the simplest: he loved the people closest to him with a passion and a depth that no-one could ever measure or match. Martin, first and foremost, was a family man. His family were the centre of his existence. His home was always a place apart.

His love for Bernie, Gráinne, Fionnuala, Fiachra, and Emmett, and his wider family, in-laws and grandchildren, was something to behold. It was incredibly special. So too was his love and devotion for his late mummy, Peggy.

Martin's sons Emmett and Fiachra and brother William. The remains of Martin McGuinness are carried to his home through the Bogside in Derry on Tuesday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 21-3-17.
Martin's sons Emmett and Fiachra and brother William. The remains of Martin McGuinness are carried to his home through the Bogside in Derry on Tuesday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 21-3-17. Martin's sons Emmett and Fiachra and brother William. The remains of Martin McGuinness are carried to his home through the Bogside in Derry on Tuesday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 21-3-17.

All the other aspects of his political and public journey were significant parts of his life, but Martin’s family was his treasure. And his genuine affection for the streets in which he’d lived his life shines as a beacon of the man’s humility.

2017 Bernie McGuinness (right), wife of Martin, carries his coffin home to the sound of applause
2017 Bernie McGuinness (right), wife of Martin, carries his coffin home to the sound of applause 2017 Bernie McGuinness (right), wife of Martin, carries his coffin home to the sound of applause

Martin had the grit to hold ground in meetings, and the courage to say and do great things – even when others doubted. At times, he followed his instinct in ways that forever shifted ground and cemented peace, such as his comments after the murders at Masserene barracks in Antrim or the conversations of reconciliation he shared with Queen Elizabeth.

For me, one of his greatest actions was using his power as Education Minister to fund the tiny gaelscoil in which my two daughters entered as the first cohort of new students, in 1998 and 1999 respectively. Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir is based in the heart of the Bogside and Brandywell, where Martin grew up.

Martin McGuinness's wife Bernie is consoled by Gerry Adams as they leave St Columba's Church Long Tower, in Derry 
Martin McGuinness's wife Bernie is consoled by Gerry Adams as they leave St Columba's Church Long Tower, in Derry  Martin McGuinness's wife Bernie is consoled by Gerry Adams as they leave St Columba's Church Long Tower, in Derry 

From literally a handful of pupils initially, it now caters for over 140. Both my daughters later graduated with law degrees. Martin believed passionately in the power of education – equality of access and maximum achievement for all.

Others will see Martin’s life very differently, some very critically, based on their own perspective. Emerging from conflict, that’s understandable. No path is perfect.

But no person’s contribution to humanity should ever be measured based solely on one page or one chapter of their life. How the book ends is always the key to every story.

Martin's sons Emmett and Fiachra and brother William. The remains of Martin McGuinness are carried to his home through the Bogside in Derry on Tuesday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 21-3-17.
Martin's sons Emmett and Fiachra and brother William. The remains of Martin McGuinness are carried to his home through the Bogside in Derry on Tuesday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 21-3-17. Martin's sons Emmett and Fiachra and brother William. The remains of Martin McGuinness are carried to his home through the Bogside in Derry on Tuesday. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 21-3-17.

And Martin McGuinness’s story is that he ultimately helped forge a bright new future where needless armed conflict is no longer acceptable; a future where all our children can actually deliver dreams beyond the boundaries of their upbringing; a future where hope is a tangible and touchable reality in the very fabric of this society.

Some will observe that Martin will miss the practical long-term fruits of his significant contribution. And yet that would be to underestimate how far Martin could actually see ahead, both in life and in politics.

He was able to reach taller and stand stronger than most others precisely because he could see further down the path of progress. Martin has already witnessed the future that he helped to create, through the visioning wisdom of his own mind’s eye.

His soul is now at rest. And for his family and friends, Martin’s memory will forever remain in the beauty of glorious mornings just like this one, in glistening moments of floating snowflakes dancing with mischief against the warm dawn sunshine, and the soft, cool breeze of a bright new day, and a gentle wide river that now will never stop flowing to the sea.