An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, Funeral of Bobby Aylward, 18th July 2022

It is an honour to be with you today as we gather to mark the passing of our good friend Bobby Aylward. 

Bobby’s first wish today would be that we give our comfort and support to Helena who was such a wonderful support and companion to him for so many years. And also, to Triona, Bob, Mark and their families who he was so proud of and loved so dearly.   

The incredible fortitude and good humour which Bobby showed during his illness came from the support you gave him and the pride which he felt every time he spoke of his family. 

And anyone who has the privilege to know the Aylwards knows that they are a tight family - a family which shares the achievements of all and provides strength and resilience to each other at the toughest of times.  

Our thoughts today are in particular with his sisters Clare, Margaret and Kathleen, and his brothers Liam, Pat, Maurice and Seán as well as their families. 

Bobby was always thinking of others and selfless in his devotion to family, community and country – and this gives us all the obligation to take time to remember him and all that he did. 

I first got to know Bobby during his time on the County Council and particularly as its Chair.  He was always a passionate advocate for his community and, together with Liam, he ensured that few places in our country were represented so well. 

However, it was during the by-election in 2015 that I got to really know Bobby and saw the passion and empathy which made him such a special person.  It was then that I saw the things which defined him and gave him his motivation. 

This is a special place.  Throughout Irish history its land and its people have been at the heart of our national story. 

It was here, amongst his people and walking its fields that Bobby Aylward was always happiest. 

As we visited every part of this sprawling constituency back in 2015 he had a story about everywhere we went.  There was always a laugh involved, but also a serious point about the needs of the communities and how our Party and our country should address those needs. 

Everything he did as a public representative was driven by a very clear set of beliefs and priorities. 

Bobby believed that at the heart of the community you will always find its schools.  Schools were to him places which not only developed each child but which also built essential social bridges which made us understand our shared history and our responsibilities to each other. 

That’s why he made it a priority to push for investment in local schools and securing new supports for children with special needs. 

He also understood that no matter how timeless the beauty of this place is, it is part of a wider modern world to which it needed strong connections.  In supporting investment in roads, transport links and communication infrastructure he was always looking to the longer term. 

And he brought his own expertise to a national level in helping to shape important policies on agriculture. 

There was always a special place in his heart and in his work for farming.  It was said of him that he was happiest on the land – that he had a deep connection to and understanding of the work and challenges of farming. This came from more than just his own experiences. He had a tremendous ability to listen and show empathy for others. 

He had a common-sense understanding of what mattered to farmers and what could be done to help secure the future of Irish farming.  That’s why he did so much to push the agenda of price transparency and fairness for farmers.  His work is coming to fruition this year with important new legislation. 

His head was never turned by walking the corridors of Leinster House.  He felt its history and its importance, but he was never interested in participating in the media and political bubble which can so often distract people. 

He knew why he was there. 

He knew who he was representing. 

He knew what contribution he could make and the impact he wanted to have. 

He was a proud Fianna Fáil man.  Loyal to a party he believed had delivered great things for his country and its republican spirit.  And he was also proud to come from one of the strongest party organisations in the country.  An organisation made up of hundreds of people who give selfless service to their party and community.  Bobby always made sure that the views of party members were heard in Dublin. 

As leader of the party and as Taoiseach Bobby was one of those senior members of the party who I always received honest and constructive advice from.  

He would regularly take me aside, call me or send messages to tell me how different issues were being felt in Kilkenny and making suggestions for what could be done.   

I could also always rely on his wonderful good humour, something which he was well known for and he was admired more as he would direct it towards anyone including his own colleagues and party leader. 

Were Bobby with us today there is of course only one thing he would be talking about – the match. 

Hurling was much more than a passion for him, it was an expression of much of what he valued most – our people and culture. He devoted himself to helping sustain and build one of the most remarkable community sporting traditions found anywhere in our country. 

Ballyhale Shamrocks is by far the most successful club team in the modern hurling.  In the fifty years since the club took its current form it has won a remarkable 19 county championships and 8 All-Irelands – twice the number of any other club. 

A record like this isn’t built by chance or with a once-off generation of exceptional players – it comes from a club which is ingrained within the community and is sustained by devoted volunteers. 

Bobby was central to this, serving in many positions in the club including as a brilliantly effective chairman.  It says so much about him and his spirit that he maintained this work even as he underwent difficult treatment. 

Of course, the Aylwards have a long history of connection with hurling in Kilkenny.   

Bobby loved the story of his relative Dexter Aylward who won the 1922 All-Ireland with Kilkenny. Because of the civil war the final wasn’t actually held until September 1923, and the New York born Dexter was a key player.  What Bobby was less keen on was the fact that Dexter moved to Dublin and, 14 months later, won a 1924 winner’s medal with Dublin. 

Bobby was an open-hearted and tolerant man – but his ecumenism never went as far as being proud of having a Dublin All-Ireland in the family. 

I loved to talk hurling with Bobby because while he was an enthusiast and partisan, he was also a realist.  At the start of every championship he would give a candid, and nearly-always correct, prediction of what was going to happen. 

Bobby was never a man who sought to grab the limelight or to promote himself. Whatever he did, be it in his community or in politics he did it for the most important of reasons – to be of service. 

In the annals of the history of democracy and the works of great writers there has always been a special place for one particular type of legislator.   

The citizen farmer has, in ancient and modern times alike, been honoured for their role in anchoring democracy.  Without trying to get attention or seek position, they have instead sought to represent faithfully and well the people of their community. 

That was Bobby Aylward. 

A wonderful friend, a trusted colleague and a wise counsel.  Wherever he was and whatever position he held Bobby remained rooted here amongst his people and was sustained by the love and support of his family.