Garret Fitzgerald tallying in February. (pic taken by Yvonne Judge)
I remember being at counts in the RDS over the last twenty years and being stunned by his presence there with his clipboard adding up the numbers. Later he’d be on the radio into the small hours analysing away, an election must. See Alexia for her Garrett story and videos from Lisbon 2.
This year I was in studio when he arrived and Norin Hegarty has recalled what happened when he wanted a computer to see what was going on with counts. I met Garret first when I was 25, an ‘activist’ and we were both on a panel for a Plaid Cymru summer school which was held in Dublin. (No I don’t know how I ended up on the panel either). We were there there to talk about social issues in Ireland. I was the angry young feminist dyke and Garrett was the former Taoiseach who tried to reform divorce laws and modernise Ireland. He tolerated me and I was enthralled bylistening to him. It was 1995 before divorce, equality legislation and after the X case.
He was a crusader and we have not had many since like him in their wish to reform or in their understanding of social justice from the blue side of the Dáil – yes he got it wrong on the shoes and was played into a corner by the Pro Life movement but he supported women’s participation in politics and not just by lip service and wanted widespread constitutional reform.
Garret’s successors do not have such a cross party admiration or legacy of public service and contribution to public debate after their time in office and I doubt any other will be mourned as widely or as deeply.
Never thought Id see the day we would be without him….dusting off the blue shirt to go pay respects tomorrow. Im just not sure it fits anymore.
I don’t think he was ever really a natural blue shirt at all apart from family ties – They were conservative before he came along and they are gone back to conservatism now that he has departed. He really was such an amazing man who had a vision for a better Ireland; more tolerant, inclusive, fairer – some of that vision has happened as a result of his doggedness and determination. They really don’t make them like him anymore
So long Garret: A bloggish round up… « Slugger O'Toole // May 20, 2011 at 13:07
[...] And the peerless Suzy Byrne… He was a crusader and we have not had many since like him in their wish to reform or in [...]
Very nicely put Suzy.
We hae not long returned from signing the book of condolences for Garret. While I would normally eschew all things funereal, it was a privilege to have the opportunity to bid adieu to the man who helped modernise Ireland from that tired parochial country to which I immigrated in 1976. We were among the youngest people by far in the winding queue into the Mansion House. I could not but be taken by how there were a whole host of little old ladies, some weeping and others offering a quiet prayer as they passed his open coffin by. A quiet and dignified goodbye for a Statesman wearing a pale salmon pink tie who helped to reshape this country for the better and held a pedigree bar none.
His honesty in his private life was mirrored in his private life. His country was far more important than petty post civil war party loyalties. His vision of a tolerant, just and secular Ireland, his ability to form relationships with Northern Unionists and his brilliant mind will not be seen again. Any aspiring politician should strive to his higher standards. A Statesman he most certainly was.
Competition: Just Garret – Garret Fitzgerald // Dec 18, 2011 at 01:37
[...] One of my fondest memories of 2011 is when I was in the same studio as Garret Fitzgerald when he arrived to analyse the general election during RTE Radio 1′s election coverage. (Rememberance post published in May 2011) [...]