Seamus Mallon's funeral hears tributes to 'bridge-builder, leader and statesman'

Seamus Mallon was a bridge-builder who dedicated himself to peacemaking, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has told mourners at his funeral.

The former Stormont deputy first minister and architect of the peace process died on Friday, aged 83.

Colleagues of the SDLP stalwart, including former leaders Mark Durkan and Margaret Ritchie and ex-first minister David Trimble, attended the service at St James' Church near his home in Markethill in rural Co Armagh.

Current First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin and Secretary of State Julian Smith also attended.

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Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin said: "Here was a loving father, husband, brother and grandfather. Here was a dedicated Catholic school teacher and principal, a kindly and attentive neighbour, a man of many talents who wasted none of them.

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"Here was a wholesome human being who spent himself unselfishly for his family, his local community, his country and for the common good.

"Here was a peacemaker, a 'bridge-builder', a leader, a statesman, and a faithful worker for the Kingdom of God."

Mr Mallon was a former teacher who lived in Markethill before becoming a politician.

He was deputy leader of the SDLP from 1979 to 2001.

He was a key figure in negotiating the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and, after his death, tributes were paid from across the political divide.

Mr Mallon implemented the newborn political powersharing at the devolved parliament at Stormont and his former partner in government and ex-first minister Lord Trimble said he was a committed democrat who lived up to his word.

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Archbishop Martin added: "Seamus Mallon was unequivocally anti-violence. Like (Seamus) Heaney, he saw the ongoing bloodshed of the past as a 'waste of life' and a 'waste of spirit'.

"He empathised from his heart with all those who were suffering and his consistent condemnation of violence from whatever source often left him open to insult and unfair criticism.

"But his principles, rooted in a strong faith and in an unstinting commitment to a culture of life, remained steadfast in face of such opposition."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood helped carry Mr Mallon's coffin into Saint James of Jerusalem Church in Co Armagh for his funeral Mass to the strains of Nearer My God To Thee.

A guard of honour was formed by a local GAA club at the door of the church.

Opening the service, Father Michael Woods, parish priest of Tandragee, said: "It was his personal wish that his funeral should be here in the church in which so many sacred moments in his life and that of his family were marked and celebrated, including his own baptism over 83 years ago.

"Seamus Mallon was a man of deep faith and it is our privilege to host the final liturgical and sacred moment of his long, full and rich life here in the place of profound importance to him.

"We are very proud in this parish of the many achievements of Seamus Mallon and the enormous contribution he made to peace and reconciliation on our island.

"For that reason, we are particularly pleased that several representatives of other Christian denominations have joined us to say their farewells and pay their tributes to a man who placed huge store by the holding out of the hand of friendship."

Friends and family members brought life gifts symbolising Mr Mallon's life to the altar.

They included the former SDLP deputy leader's own memoir, his maiden speech in the House of Commons, a photo of him with Pope John Paul II, a fishing reel and some golf balls from Co Donegal club Rossapenna.

SDLP deputy leader Nichola Mallon gave the first reading.

After the funeral mass, Mr Mallon's friend Tim O'Connor, a former secretary general to the President of Ireland, delivered a tribute.

He described him as a "great chieftain of Irish political life".

"The annals will record Seamus Mallon as one of the key leaders of a seminal time in the history of the island of Ireland," he said.

He hailed him as a parliamentary orator ranking alongside the likes of Daniel O'Connell and Charles Stewart Parnell.

"Seamus Mallon was a giant of his time," he said.

"That is why today, in this beautiful ceremony in this beautiful Church, it is important that we take the opportunity to reflect on, and give thanks for, the sacrifice, endurance, courage and leadership of a man whose contribution has meant a better life and future for every single one of us on this island."

Mr O'Connor hailed his friend's "steadfastness", refusal to resort to partisanship, unfailing belief in partnership, sense of fair play, and "warmth and decency" as a human being.

"And of course his fierce and unwavering commitment to non-violence," he added.

"Seamus also believed deeply in, and practised, the power of friendship. He made friends everywhere and in all quarters. He was loyal to them and they to him. Being inside the circle of Seamus Mallon's friendship meant being in a very warm place indeed.

"He was fun, he was so kind. Seamus did friendship extraordinary well.

"That is not to say, of course, that everything was sweetness and light every day. Being the recipient of the fearsome Mallon stare over the glasses perched on the nose was a mighty uncomfortable place to be.

"But the clouds lifted quickly and the warmth of his sunshine was always worth the wait. The size of the crowd here today and the huge outpouring of grief and tributes since his death on Friday tell that story loudly and clearly."

Mr O'Connor told mourners that Mr Mallon had requested that the song The Bard Of Armagh be played at the service.

The ballad was sung by Joe Cullinane before final prayers and the recessional hymn, Amazing Grace.

Cardinal Sean Brady, Archbishop Martin's predecessor, took part in the burial ceremony in the church graveyard.

Mr Mallon was buried alongside his wife.