Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Members will be aware that Professor George Eogan, who was a Member of this House from 1987 to 1989, passed away on Thursday, 18 November. Professor Eogan was widely regarded as one of the leading archaeologists of his generation. He is perhaps best known for his work in Knowth. He was born Nobber, County Meath, and was always proud of his Meath origins, and a proud GAA fan. Meath was proud of him, and in 2016 the George Eogan Cultural and Heritage Centre was opened in the county, named in his honour.

He had a long and distinguished academic career and was a notable scholar of Bronze Age Europe. It would be difficult to list the numerous honours he received or the books and journals in which he was published. He will also be remembered as a teacher and a mentor. His leadership and commitment to Irish archaeology was recognised by his appointment to Seanad Éireann by An Taoiseach in 1987. A quick perusal of Seanad debates during his time shows his contributions in areas such as education and national heritage, and also in topics as diverse as planning, agriculture, human rights and Northern Ireland.

At this sad time, my thoughts are with his family. On behalf of the House, I wish to convey my sincere sympathies to his wife, Fiona, and his children, James, Maeve, Deirdre and Clíona, and to his extended family and friends on their said loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.