DUP leader Arlene Foster was greeted with a round of applause at St Columba’s Church, Long Tower, yesterday in one of many extraordinary images from Martin McGuinness's Requiem Mass.
In what was possibly the largest funeral ever witnessed in Derry, thousands of people lined the streets of the Bogside to say farewell to the IRA commander turned government leader as ordinary citizens were joined by dignitaries from Ireland and around the world.
Gallery: Martin McGuinness's funeral in Derry
Video: Bill Clinton tells McGuinness funeral 'finish the peace builiding'
Former US president Bill Clinton was brought into the heart of the city by helicopter, while President Michael D Higgins paid his respects with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former president Mary McAleese as well as former taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen.
Secretary of State James Brokenshire also attended the funeral, as did Toy Blair's former press secretary Alastair Campbell.
A DUP delegation included former first ministers Mrs Foster and Peter Robinson, former economy minister Simon Hamilton and assembly speaker Robin Newton.
Following days of uncertainty over whether the DUP leader would attend the Mass, she was warmly welcomed as she entered the church overlooking Mr McGuinness's native Bogside. President Clinton also praised her presence at the funeral, acknowledging that her "life has been marked in painful ways" by the IRA.
Applause for Arlene Foster:
Thousands of people lined the streets of Derry for the funeral of former NI deputy first minister Martin McGuinness https://t.co/pQXcFyjrOE pic.twitter.com/JiE67ASat4 — RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 23, 2017
While his coffin was draped in a tricolour, concerns that the funeral would also feature paramilitary trappings proved unfounded.
As the flag was draped over the coffin in the street outside the former deputy first minister's home, singer Frances Black sang Raglan Road followed by a lament played by flautist Matt Molloy of The Chieftains.
Martin McGuinness funeral https://t.co/uewhxFp3Mo
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) March 23, 2017
Mr McGuinness’s remains were carried all the way to St Columba’s Church, initially by family members and senior members of Sinn Féin but also by various groups which represented his political life, including relatives of the Bloody Sunday victims.
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown presided at Requiem Mass at which Derry priest Fr Michael Canny was chief celebrant.
Other clergy present included priests from the Derry diocese as well Mr McGuinness’s close friend Presbyterian minister Rev David Latimer and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Ken Good.
Bill Clinton's full speech at the funeral of Martin McGuinness https://t.co/9poLXrLATi — RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 23, 2017
Fr Canny told mourners that Mr McGuinness knew well that people struggled with his IRA past. He said republicans were not blameless.
However, he said people realised that he had made a “remarkable journey.”
“The word journey has been used by many people in recent days to describe Martin’s transition from man of war to man of peace," he said.
“On that journey many years ago, Martin realised that the time for peace had come and he pursued the peace process with relentless energy for the rest of his days until illness finally struck him down.
“In the course of that journey he encountered many obstacles but he remained resolute. In conversation he often repeated that there was no other way; we had to continually work for the building of peace and a better future for all. Despite many setbacks he never became disheartened."
Mr Clinton also paid tribute during the Mass, making his own plea for peace. The congregation later applauded as Mr McGuinness’s coffin was carried from the church.
Thousands of people also gathered at Derry city cemetery where wreaths were laid on behalf of Sinn Féin, north and south, as Mr McGuinness was laid to rest in the republican plot.
Mourners were addressed by Sinn Féin vice president Mary Lou McDonald and northern leader Michelle O’Neill before the graveside oration was delivered by party president Gerry Adams.
Proceedings were brought to a close by singer Christy Moore who sang his own composition The Time Has Come.
