President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to Pádraig Ó Snodaigh for his “lifelong commitment to the promotion and preservation of our native language”.
Mr Ó Snodaigh served as president of Conradh na Gaeilge from 1974 until 1979, when he was instrumental in setting up An Siopa Leabhar, its dedicated bookshop.
His funeral in Baldoyle, Dublin heard how he then borrowed £1,000 to establish the publisher Coiscéim (‘footstep’), which would go on to print more than 1,700 books and provide an invaluable platform for Irish language writers.
A former co-editor of current affairs magazine Pobal and editor of Carn, the magazine of the Celtic League, Mr Ó Snodaigh was a prolific writer himself, including the influential Hidden Ulster, Protestants and the Irish Language, which highlighted the role of Presbyterians in preserving the language.
He was a frequent visitor north of the border to support Irish language projects.
His son Colm told mourners he lived full and honest life, filled with love.
“He was a revolutionary who spent his life doing things that people said couldn’t be done, who often proved that the impossible was possible in his hands.”
President Higgins said he was privileged to call both Pádraig and his late wife, the artist Cliodhna Cussen, his friends.
“His numerous contributions and his long-standing work inspired countless others to cherish and embrace the language that is central to our shared cultural heritage,” he said.
“A steadfast advocate for the richness and resilience of Irish as a living language, Pádraig’s passing is a great loss for all those who work to promote the use of the Irish language, but his contributions to Irish society will undoubtedly leave an enduring legacy for generations to come.”
Conradh na Gaeilge president Paula Melvin said Mr Ó Snodaigh had an enormous impact on the Irish language movement through his “leadership, pioneering publishing efforts and unwavering passion for our culture”.
The organisation has recently also mourned the loss of former president Gearóid Ó Cairealláin from west Belfast.
Born in Carlow and an employee of the Electricity Supply Board and National Museum, Pádraig Ó Snodaigh died aged 89 on January 2.
His is survived by his sons Aengus, a Sinn Féin TD, Rossa, Rónán, and Colm – members of folk group Kíla, who performed with other musicians at his funeral – and Cormac and Fergus.