A granddaughter of John Hume has paid an emotional tribute to his “fearless” work for peace after he and his late wife, Pat were posthumously presented with the TK Whitaker award by U2's Bono.
Rachel Hume (13) read a letter to her late grandfather after accepting the award along with her brother, Oliver (16) from Bono at a ceremony in Dublin.
Established in 2016, the award seeks to honour people who have given outstanding service to Irish public life. Past winners include, President Michael D Higgins, former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and former president, Mary McAleese.
A former senator, TK Whitaker, from Co Down, was one of Ireland’s foremost civil servants and one of the key architects in re-modelling the Irish economy in the 1950s and 1960s.
In a letter to her “grandad”, which was first read at the couple’s graveside in Derry, Rachel said that despite his final illness, Mr Hume was always the biggest presence in any room.
She said: “Grandad, because of you an entire nation gets to live in a happier and more hopeful reality. Because of you my generation enjoys a security and peace which we often take for granted.
“Because of you, your grandchildren know compassion, patience, respect and the immense value that every person, sick or well, brings to the world.”
She also recalled her personal memories, including her grandfather’s “gentle smile”, his “thousand questions” and Derry nursery rhymes.
“Your grandchildren will remember your grumpiness as fondly as we remember your generosity. You dedicated your life to bringing us peace. I hope now you have found some for yourself,” she said.
In his presentation speech, Bono recognised the need for peace and unity in Ukraine. He said Ireland was working hard to make Ukrainian refugees feel loved when they arrived in the country. He also contrasted the situation in Ukraine with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement 25 years ago.
The singer said: “Freedom in Ukraine means taking up arms but in 1998 on the 10th of April, freedom in Ireland meant laying them down. That’s why having the Hume family at this event sort of changes the temperature for a lot of us and its a privilege and an honour to have you here. You know that freedom doesn’t come free and freedom is very very expensive."
