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Moville honours ‘Ireland’s
Greatest’
05.04.11
by Linda McGrory
AN Inishowen community proud to have 'Ireland's
Greatest' person living among them held a tribute
dinner in John Hume's honour at the weekend.
The 74-year old Nobel laureate mingled among 240
guests at the event on Saturday night in Moville
where he and wife Pat have kept a home for 25 years.
It was a low-key night underpinned by a community's
sense of pride that such a towering figure chooses
to live among them. It was organised by locals John
and Mary Putt helped by former councillor Marian
McDonald and others.
"I am delighted and honoured with this tribute and I
would like to thank everyone who organised it for
me," the former SDLP leader told the gathering.
Pat Hume said the people of Moville and surrounding
area held a "very special" place in their hearts.
"We have been coming to Moville for 25 years and it
has always been a real haven for us and a great
retreat from the ups and downs of life in Derry over
the years. We are grateful that so many people made
the effort to come here tonight," she said. |
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John Hume with his wife, Pat at the
tribute dinner in Moville. |
Derry-born Hume was the
public's choice in last year's RTE phone-text poll
to find 'Ireland's Greatest', ahead of Michael
Collins, Mary Robinson, James Connolly and Bono.
The legendary politician and founding father of
civil rights in the North, was championed for the
award by journalist, Miriam O'Callaghan. Hume is
also the only person to have received the world's
three major peace accolades, Nobel Peace Prize,
Gandhi Peace Prize and the Martin Luther King Award.
Among those who paid moving tributes to him on
Saturday at Moville's Caiseal Mara Hotel were SDLP
mayor of Derry, Cllr Colum Eastwood, chairperson of
the local electoral area of Donegal County Council,
Fine Gael councillor Mickey Doherty and Fianna Fáil
TD., Charlie McConalogue and Labour councillor,
Martin Farren. Judge Sean MacBride, described his
own days as a boarder in St Columb's College, Derry,
in the 1960s, becoming inspired as Hume sowed the
seeds of the civil rights movement.
"What struck us most was John Hume - cool, calm and
collected, a man of peace, a man who pursued peace
to the end, a man who was a genuine follower of
Gandhi and Martin Luther King," said Judge MacBride.
"He ensured that a lot of people's lives were saved
in this country. A lot more would have died but for
the work that John Hume did in non-violent protest
and in constitutional methods to right wrongs," he
added.
Meanwhile, others sent good wish messages including
singer Daniel O'Donnell and John Hume's fellow St
Columb's College alumni, Seamus Heaney and Paul
Brady. Brady described Hume as a "mighty man" who
was the "embodiment and expression of all that is
decent and honourable in humanity".
Daniel O'Donnell’s message read: "Thank you so much
for all you have done in your work through the
years. You are an inspiration to so many."
Inishowen musical talent including recent 'All
Ireland Talent Show' finalist, Brian Sheerin, The
Henry Girls and Danielle Cavanagh were among the
many performers on the night. Compere Paul Crumlish
ensured the running order went smoothly.
As well as a charity auction, John Hume was
presented with a number of gifts including a
portrait of the peace broker as a young man.
But, the most poignant part of the evening came when
Hume, a fine singer himself, took to the stage for a
rendition of one of his favourite songs, 'Danny
Boy'. As a smiling Hume sang the closing strains
"I shall sleep in peace until you come to me"
his rapt guests rose to their feet for an emotional
standing ovation.
To view more photos form the tribute night
click here .
To watch video from the tribute night
click here . |
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