National Archives - Marking the passing of an historic figure

De Valera’s funeral left one British diplomat under-whelmed, writes Ryle Dwyer.

BRITISH diplomats could not refrain from gloating over the absence of world leaders at the funeral of Eamon de Valera, according to official papers made public yesterday.

Ireland's former Taoiseach and President, who had been jailed after the 1916 Easter Rising, died in 1975 at the age of 92.

In files released to the National Archives under the 30-year rule, GW Harding, an official at the embassy in Dublin, gleefully noted that, with the "conspicuous exception" of Princess Grace of Monaco, the level of foreign representation was "probably not as high as the Irish people might have hoped".

"The newspapers' confident predictions of a gathering of heads of state were not realised," he reported in his dispatch to London.

Even the "anticipated crew of Irish-American vote-seeking politicians" failed to put in an appearance, he said.

Harding also struck a decidedly condescending note in his description of the actual funeral.

"The exclusive use of Latin and Irish at the requiem Mass and burial service must surely have irritated not only some of the visitors but also many Irishmen who cannot speak their first 'official' language," he noted.

"The ceremonial was conducted with due decorum, at least as far as the gates of Glasnevin Cemetery. There enthusiastic but unofficial mourners pushed through police cordons and elbowed visiting dignitaries from the graveside; it added an Irish touch to the proceeding!"

ON the afternoon of Friday, August 22, 1975, the Taoiseach's Department was informed that former President Eamon De Valera was suffering from the after-effects of a cold and his medical advisers held little hope of his survival.

At 12.13 on Friday, August 29, his death was announced.

Immediately afterwards Vivion De Valera, the former President's eldest son, telephoned the Taoiseach's office with the news.

Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave issued a statement crediting De Valera with having "displayed superb diplomacy" in keeping the country out of World War Two.

"Throughout his long public career," he said, "Eamon De Valera recognised and sought to uphold the principle of parliamentary democracy in this country."

The government designated the day of the funeral as a day of national mourning.

The former President lay in state from 8.30pm to 11pm on the Saturday night of the removal, from 9am to 11pm on Sunday, and from 9am to 5pm on Monday.

The lying-in-state ended short after 5pm on Monday, and the family then paid their last respects.

When the main church door was opened at about 9am on Tuesday, September 2, the gardaí had to be called upon to block off the entrance so that only those identified by the stewards were admitted.

Four of the De Valera grandchildren were assigned to identify and lead members of the family and three long-standing friends Seán Nunan, Tom Mullins and Maurice Moynihan to benches reserved for the relatives. The family decided that there would be no taking of a death mask or graveside oration.

The State paid all the funeral expenses, which included embalming and a special oak casket.

It included nine cars from the removal of the body from Talbot Lodge to Dublin Castle, eight cars from Dublin Castle to the Pro-Cathedral and 11 cars from there to Glasnevin Cemetery. Furthermore, it included grave fees, books of condolences and payment to the gravediggers and drivers. The total cost came to £1,099.50.