Northern Ireland

John Hume's 'single-mindedness and stubbornness' convinced others that peace was possible

Pat Hume (left) and her daughter Therese during the funeral service for John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry. Picture by Stephen Latimer/PA Wire
Pat Hume (left) and her daughter Therese during the funeral service for John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry. Picture by Stephen Latimer/PA Wire Pat Hume (left) and her daughter Therese during the funeral service for John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Derry. Picture by Stephen Latimer/PA Wire

JOHN Hume "gave his life for his country" and through "single-mindedness and stubbornness" convinced others that peace was possible, mourners at the former SDLP leader's funeral were told.

President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Michéal Martin joined the Hume family and the late Nobel laureate's former party colleagues at Derry's St Eugene's Cathedral yesterday as they said a final farewell to the man once voted 'Ireland's greatest'.

Coronavirus restrictions meant numbers at the funeral Mass were limited to less than one-hundred but messages of sympathy for the man widely credited with shaping the Good Friday Agreement poured in from across the globe.

Mr Hume died on Monday in the Owen Mor nursing home in Derry aged 83. He had battled dementia for more than a decade, having retired from frontline politics in 2004.

The former MP, MEP and MLA led the SDLP for 22 years until 2001.

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST5/8/2020The funeral of former SDLP leader and peacemaker, John Hume, today at St Eugenes Cathedral in Derry.Local politicians and dignitaries were among those in attendance. Pictured SDLP leader Colm Eastwood with Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin.Photo Pacemaker Press.
PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST5/8/2020The funeral of former SDLP leader and peacemaker, John Hume, today at St Eugenes Cathedral in Derry.Local politicians and dignitaries were among those in attendance. Pictured SDLP leader Colm Eastwood with Taoiseach and Fian PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST5/8/2020The funeral of former SDLP leader and peacemaker, John Hume, today at St Eugenes Cathedral in Derry.Local politicians and dignitaries were among those in attendance. Pictured SDLP leader Colm Eastwood with Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader, Micheal Martin.Photo Pacemaker Press.

Steadfast in his commitment to non-violence, he is widely credited with laying the foundations for 1994's paramilitary ceasefires and the later establishment of Stormont's devolved institutions.

His death came just six months after that of fellow Good Friday architect and long-time SDLP deputy leader Seamus Mallon.

Those who attended yesterday's service and sat socially distanced in the pews of the cathedral included First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney, Secretary of State Brnadon Lewis, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and his predecessor Mark Durkan.

Mass concelebrant Father Paul Farren said Mr Hume focused on "unity and peace" and in giving dignity to every person.

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST5/8/2020The funeral of former SDLP leader and peacemaker, John Hume, today at St Eugenes Cathedral in Derry.Local politicians and dignitaries were among those in attendance. Pictured Michelle O�Neill putting on a face mask before entering the cathedral.Photo Pacemaker Press.
PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST5/8/2020The funeral of former SDLP leader and peacemaker, John Hume, today at St Eugenes Cathedral in Derry.Local politicians and dignitaries were among those in attendance. Pictured Michelle O�Neill put PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST5/8/2020The funeral of former SDLP leader and peacemaker, John Hume, today at St Eugenes Cathedral in Derry.Local politicians and dignitaries were among those in attendance. Pictured Michelle O�Neill putting on a face mask before entering the cathedral.Photo Pacemaker Press.

"We should never underestimate how difficult it was for John to cross the road and do what was intensely unpopular for the greater good – even in the darkest moments, when people would have been forgiven for having no hope, John made peace visible for others," he said.

"His vision revealed what could be, and with time and determination and single-mindedness and stubbornness, he convinced others that peace could be a reality."

He said the one-time civil rights activist and SDLP founding member never lost faith in peace or faith in his ability to convince others that peace was the only way.

"If ever you want to see a man who gave his life for his country, and his health, that man is John Hume – the world knows it," he said.

Mr Durkan and Mr Hume's eldest daughter Therese led the service's readings while music was provided by singer Anne Marie Hickey alongside organist Aidan Watkins and fiddler Frank Gallagher.

John Hume's daughter Therese gives a reading during his funeral service at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire.
John Hume's daughter Therese gives a reading during his funeral service at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awa John Hume's daughter Therese gives a reading during his funeral service at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Stephen Latimer/PA Wire.

Mr Hume's grandchildren Dee, Aoibhe, Rachel and Una read prayers of the faithful, while the deceased's daughter Mo Hume read a poem written by her eldest brother Aidan, who was unable to travel to the funeral from the US due to coronavirus restrictions.

"You made us realise a border is just a line on a map. It's in our hearts and minds where we need to bridge the gap," she said.

"Thorough over 30 years of violence, hurt and unrelenting stress, those underlying conditions you never stopped trying to address.

"I don't think I ever said aloud how you made us all so incredibly proud. All you ever wanted was to make the world a better place."

Derry musician Phil Coulter played Mr Hume's favourite song The Town I Loved So Well on the piano at the end of the service.

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and First Minister Arlene Foster wearing face coverings during the funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and First Minister Arlene Foster wearing face coverings during the funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a k Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill and First Minister Arlene Foster wearing face coverings during the funeral of John Hume at St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry. PA Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2020. Hume was a key architect of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the pivotal role he played in ending the region's sectarian conflict. He died on Monday aged 83, having endured a long battle with dementia. See PA story FUNERAL Hume. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

Speaking before the funeral, Mr Eastwood said they were grateful to have had Mr Hume.

"There is work to be done and John was always forward thinking. He gave us the platform, he gave us the pathway, he gave us the opportunity to do this free from violence," he said.

"We have to keep going to build the shared island that we want."

Mrs Foster described it as a "sad day".

"I was reflecting that this has been a very difficult year for the SDLP with the loss of John Dallat and Seamus Mallon. We are here to support colleagues and indeed the family."

PACEMAKER BELFAST  05/08/20Irish President Michael D Higgins  during the Funeral  for John Hume at St Eugene�s Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday.John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years.Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press.
PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20Irish President Michael D Higgins during the Funeral for John Hume at St Eugene�s Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday.John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential pol PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20Irish President Michael D Higgins during the Funeral for John Hume at St Eugene�s Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday.John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years.Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press.

Ms O'Neill said that Mr Hume's death marks the start of the end of an era.

Outside people lined the streets and applauded as the funeral procession made its way along the route to the city cemetery where a private burial took place.

Mrs Hume and her family acknowledged the crowds through the open car windows

PACEMAKER BELFAST  05/08/20President Michael D Higgins   during the Funeral  for John Hume at St Eugene�s Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday.John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years.Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press.
PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20President Michael D Higgins during the Funeral for John Hume at St Eugene�s Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday.John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politici PACEMAKER BELFAST 05/08/20President Michael D Higgins during the Funeral for John Hume at St Eugene�s Cathedral in Derry on Wednesday.John Hume will be remembered as one of the highest-profile and most influential politicians in Northern Ireland. He was a founding member of the SDLP and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001. Mr Hume played a significant role in driving forward the peace process and following the 1998 Good Friday agreement, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Hume also served as a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for more than 25 years and held a seat in Westminster as an MP for nearly 22 years.Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press.