'A true Meathman with immense pride in his native county, its history and culture'

Meath Archaeological and Historical Society tribute to John Bruton

John Bruton was a member of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society for many years and was a great supporter of it over several decades, the society stated in a tribute.

He followed the activities of the Society with interest and he addressed a Society event in Longwood in January 2019 on the subject of the 1918 Election in Meath, Eamon Duggan and the First Dáil. Duggan was, of course, the first holder of a Dáil seat in South Meath, in what was to become John’s own constituency base for many years.

As a convinced democrat, John passionately espoused the principle and practice of politics through the ballot box and saw himself as the political descendant of Charles Stewart Parnell, who of course had been elected as the parliamentary representative for Meath in Westminster in an earlier time. As a true Meathman, he had immense pride in his native county, its history and culture and the royal heritage of its landscape and people.

As Taoiseach, he displayed a magnanimous spirit and brought that generosity of heart to bear on his untiring pursuit of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland so that representatives of different sides and traditions representing all points of view found him willing to engage in a common pursuit of constructive solutions leading to a better future for all. In so doing, he made an immense contribution to the cause of peace and to enable all the people of this island to enjoy the prospect of a brighter and better future.