Tributes as pioneer politician Desmond is laid to rest
The former Labour TD and Government minister was buried after a Requiem Mass at Carrigaline.
She died last Friday at the age of 72. Former party leaders Ruairi Quinn and Dick Spring attended the funeral.
"Her passing has been a shock to all of us and we are all reaching out for words to express what we felt about her and our sense of loss," said Senator Michael McCarthy, in his graveside oration.
Eileen Desmond was laid to rest within a few miles of where she was born and where she spent most of her life.
"We can readily acknowledge her warmth, her dignity, her political and personal courage, her formidable but understated abilities, her wonderful sense of humour. She was a person whom people liked and loved," he said.
He reminded those attending the funeral that she had been first elected to the Dáil 40 years ago on the death of her husband Dan.
"Eileen's bravery at age 32 in the circumstances of Dan's passing and her standing for election to our national parliament was recognised by the people of Cork who gave her an outstanding vote, precipitating a General Election where she was re-elected.
"At various times Eileen was elected to the Dáil, to Seanad Éireann, to the European Parliament, to Cork County Council, to the New Ireland Forum and to the Council of Europe," Mr McCarthy said.
Her loss was a loss to her locality, but also to the country and Europe.
"While Eileen's popularity and the esteem in which she was held is reflected in her electoral track record, what must also be recognised is her ability to compete in the milieu of politics which, it has be acknowledged, has been primarily a man's world in Ireland over the years," he said.
She as well able to deal with male chauvinism while losing none of her dignity and poise, Mr McCarthy said.
"When she stood up to speak at a Labour Conference she captured her audience on the basis of the common sense and of the reflective and caring politics which characterised her all her working life," he said.
Eileen Desmond was the first woman to be appointed to a senior Cabinet post when Garrett Fitzgerald appointed her Minister for Health and Social Welfare in 1981.
"Despite being ill during her term as Minister, she worked vigorously and with her usual effectiveness to defend the interests of poorer and less fortunate people who were in her constituency.
"Eileen Desmond has passed on a legacy to all of us; to her family, and her daughter Paula who achieved another memorable milestone by being the first Mayor of Cork County, is carrying on the family tradition of unselfish public service her legacy is to her colleagues in the Labour Party where she was held in universal affection and respect; and her legacy is to Mná na hÉireann, who have a shining example of what can be achieved, whatever the barriers or prejudice, to advance the interests of all of us," Mr McCarthy said.
Mrs Desmond is survived by her daughters, Honor and Paula.
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