Former taoiseach John Bruton has been remembered during his State funeral as a man of hope, ideas and faith, who changed Ireland and its people for the better.
Delivering a graveside oration as the former taoiseach was buried at Rooske cemetery in Co Meath, Taosieach Leo Varadkar said that John Bruton's life "was defined by love – love of family, love of county, love of politics, love of our party, love of country".
The 76-year-old died on Tuesday morning following a long illness.
"He loved politics and believed it was the best way to achieve real and lasting change for the good. His core principle was that 'every person counts’ and he put that into action in every single role and office he held," Mr Varadkar said.
He added: "John was a man of hope. He believed we could create a fairer, more peaceful, and more prosperous future for us all.
"John was a man of ideas, and his greatest idea was that we could arrest our decline, and become a prosperous, successful country. His drive and optimism helped make that vision a reality.
"John was a man of faith. He had faith in politics and faith in people. He believed that working together we could change the world and achieve anything."
Mr Varadkar said that John Bruton changed Ireland "considerably for the better", and "changed us for the better too."
Earlier during the funeral mass mourners heard how John Bruton was "an exceptionally good man", who was "honest and honourable, patient and persevering".
Father Bruce Bradley also described him as "courageous and committed", adding that he was "willing to lead even when it meant going against the grain".
President Michael D Higgins, along with former taoisigh Enda Kenny and Bertie Ahern were among those gathered for the State funeral at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Dunboyne, Co Meath.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan were also in attendance, as were Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, and Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald.
John Bruton's coffin was draped in the tricolour in line with State funeral ceremonial procedures.
Additionally, around 180 Defence Forces personnel took part in the proceedings.
Two of John Bruton's grandchildren, Oliver and Robin, brought gifts to the altar at the beginning of the mass, while his daughters Juliana and Mary-Elizabeth read the first and second readings.
The gifts were a copy of John Bruton's book 'Faith in Politics' and a picture of John Bruton and his family when his children were young.
Hundreds of mourners have gathered in Dunboyne. Many watched the service in a seated area outside the church on a large screen
Locals said John Bruton was a proud Dunboyne man who remained connected to the Meath community in which he lived.
Fr Bradley said John Bruton was humble and unassuming, as well as a man of integrity and truth.
In his homily, Fr Bradley said John Bruton's personal qualities and significant accomplishments have been rightly celebrated.
He noted his remarkable political career starting at the very early age of 22, his eventual leadership of his own party, the successes of the unexpected Rainbow Coalition he led in the 1990s, his patient, pioneering cooperative part in enabling a cessation of violence in Northern Ireland, his championing of the European Union and Ireland's place in it, his valuable role as EU ambassador to the United States, and his later work with the IFSC.
Fr Bradley said these accounts celebrate a very gifted and genuinely likeable man who enjoyed a varied and successful career.
But he said anyone who knew John Bruton in a closer way realised that, underneath everything, he was a seriously religious man and this all-important aspect of his life and self-identity is largely missing from the public commentary.
"The truth is that he was an instinctive, reflective Catholic. He was rooted in his faith. His life cannot be understood properly apart from that," Fr Bradley said.
John Bruton's daughters Juliana and Mary-Elizabeth read the first and second readings.
The funeral mass also heard that the Christian principles of co-operation, dialogue, equity and respect were evident in John Bruton's work.
Bishop Tom Deenihan told mourners that this was acknowledged in the eloquent yet simple statement from many over the past few days who described John Bruton as "a decent man".
In the prayers of commendation, the Bishop of Meath said this is the supreme accolade in rural Ireland.
"We commend John to God with our praise and prayers. Like Shakespeare's Othello, He has done the state some service but Saint Paul, as you would expect, puts it better, The life and death of each of us has its influence on others," Bishop Deenihan said.
Last night, John Bruton's remains were received at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul for a removal service.
Mourners described the former Fine Gael leader as a proud family man with an infectious smile, a visionary politician and a statesman who sowed the seeds for peace.
Read more:
As it happened: State funeral of John Bruton
John Bruton: An original thinker with strong opinions'
A giant of politics' - tributes pour in for John Bruton
John Bruton believed that 'every person counts' - brother
Among those who attended the removal were EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.
Mr Bruton was taoiseach from 1994 to 1997 when he led the rainbow coalition government of Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left.
He was leader of Fine Gael from 1990 to 31 January 2001.
He was re-elected to the Dáil in May 2002 and resigned his seat on 31 October 2004, and was appointed as the EU Ambassador to the United States the following month.
Mr Bruton was widely credited with playing an important part in Northern Ireland's peace process in the years leading to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended three decades of sectarian conflict.
During his tenure he also steered through a referendum that paved the way for the legalisation of divorce.
Mr Bruton is survived by his wife Finola, his children Matthew, Juliana, Emily and Mary-Elizabeth, and his grandchildren.
