Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

I wish to extend sympathy to the family of the esteemed former Senator, Séamus de Brún, who has passed away. As well as being a Senator, the late Mr. de Brún was a former teacher, trustee and president of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. He was born in Cornamona in Connemara, County Galway, on 1 October 1911, although he later moved to County Roscommon. He was nominated by the then Taoiseach, Mr. Lynch, to the Seanad in August 1977 and was re-elected to the Upper House on the Cultural and Educational Panel in 1982 and 1983. I served with Mr. de Brún in this House for approximately six months in 1982.

Mr. de Brún was an inspirational figure. The de Brún family has a strong record in relation to cultural and social matters and a great interest in education. Séamus de Brún came from an educational background, of course. His wife Bríd and his three children, Máirín, Tadhg and Finian, were imbued with the best Irish traditions. The de Brún family showed a great interest in the wider use of our traditions and culture by all the people. They were keen that everybody should be instructed and informed about such matters. Sadly, Bríd Bean de Brún died in a tragic car accident in July 1998 while on her way to a meeting of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. It could be said that she died in service, because she was as dedicated as her husband to the traditions of this country. Her death had a tremendously sad effect on Séamus and his family. I am sure it is in order for me to mention that Senator Ó Murchú gave an excellent panegyric at her funeral. It was a fine statement.