President Hillery was among the large number of dignitaries who attended the funeral in Galway City yesterday of Professor Mairin de Valera, the eldest daughter of the late President de Valera. There was a large attendance at the Requiem Mass in St. Joseph's Church and burial took place afterwards in nearby Rahoon Cemetery. The late Professor de Valera joined the staff of UCG in 1939 and worked there for 38 years 15 of them as Professor of Botany — a post she took over in 1962. She remained in that position until her retirement in 1977. A graduate of UCD she had travelled widely in Europe working on her specialist subject, the study of seaweed. Her nephew, Father Shan O Cuiv was chief celebrant at the Mass in Irish which was concelebrated by the Bishop of Galway, Dr. Eamonn Casey, and 17 other priests. Members of her immediate family at the funeral were her brothers Professor Eamon de Valera, Terry de Valera, and her sister Mrs. Eimear o Cuiv. Also in attendance were her many nieces and nephews. Dr. Eamon de Valera, Mr. Eamon de Valera, B_.L., Mr. Eamon de Valera, Ruairi de Valera. Eithne de Valera and Ann de Vaiera_, Maura de Valera, Site de Valera, T.D., along with Eamon O Cuiv, Eoin O Cuiv, Brian O Cuiv, Rurair O Cuiv, Vivian O Cuiv. Cathriona O Cuiv, Nora O Cuiv, Maura O Cuiv. and Jane Malocco. A large representation from UCG was led by Professor Eamon O'Dwyer, representing College president Dr. Colm O hEocha. The leader of the Opposition, Chales Haughey, was represented by Mrs. Main Geoghegan Quinn.

Irish Independent, Tuesday, August 14, 1984; Page: 2

Other notable attendees included :- ADC Lieut-Colonel Sean McGreal, Bobby Molloy T.D., Senator Catherine McGuinness, former District Justice Seamus O Siorain, and broadcasters Prionnsias Mac Aonghusa and Liam Mac an lomaire. Michael Needham (Gardai), and reps. of the Connacht Tribune Mr. W.B. Allen.

Friends from Dublin: Don and Jane Cotter.

Additional representation from UCG: Professor Padraig O Ceidigh, Professor Elizabeth Lee, Professor Sean O Cinneide, Professor Gearoid Mac Eoin, Professor Sean Mitchell, Professor Sean Tobin, Dr. Brendan Keegan, Mr. Christopher Townley, Mr. Daithi O Coirbin (Burser at U.C.G.), Dr. Muireas McDonald, Professor Martin Newell, Mr. Sean Mac Lomhair and Mr. P.J. Lawless, Professor Tom O’Neill (the late President’s biographer), Mr. Donald Walsh, and Mr. Mathew Harmey.

Galway Corporation: The Mayor, Miss Mary Byrne, the former Mayor Councillor Michael Leahy, Councillors Bridie O’Flaherty, John Francis King, Brendan Holland, Micheal O hUiginn, Pat McNamara and Tom Browne.

Chief Celebrant: Ant-Athair Shan O Cuiv (nephew)
Mass Celebrated in Irish by : Canon Paddy Lee, P.P. Ennistymon and Father Des Carroll, P.P St Joseph’s (The Bishop of Galway, Dr. Eamonn Casey, who also concelebrated the mass with 17 other priests among them being Fr. John O’Dwyer, Chaplain to the President; Monsignor Jim McLoughlin, Chaplain to Dr. Casey; Fr. Robert Lee, Castlegar; Fr. Michael O’Reilly, St. Joseph’s; Fr. Bill Gauran and Fr. Tim Keyes, friends of the family from Dublin; Fr. Fitzsimons and Fr. Bill Reilly, Fr. Tom Doherty, Drumquin; Fr. Martin Lange, P.P., Carraroe; Fr. Eustace hEideain, O.P.; Fr. Brendon Dillon, O.P., a leturer in U.C.G., and Fr. Manus Creaven, O.P.)