(photograph by courtesy of the President of St Patrick’s Pontifical College, Maynooth).
(2 May 1923 – 12 April 2008). He was the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 until 1990. The honour of Collar of the Pian Order was awarded during the State visit to Pope Saint John Paul 11 in April 1989. He was born in Spanish Point, County Clare. he was educated locally at Milltown Malbay national school before later attending the Spiritan Rockwell College. At third level Hillery attended University College Dublin where he qualified with a degree in medicine. Upon his conferral in 1947 he returned to his native town where he followed in his father’s footsteps as a doctor. Hillery’s medical career in the 1950s saw him serve as a member of the National Health Council and as Medical Officer for the Milltown Malbay Dispensary District. He also spent a year working as coroner for West Clare. First elected at the 1951 general election as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for Clare, he remained in Dáil Éireann until 1973. During this time he served as Minister for Education (1959–1965), Minister for Industry and Commerce(1965–1966), Minister for Labour (1966–1969) and Minister for Foreign Affairs (1969–1973). In 1973 he was appointed Ireland's first European Commissioner, serving until 1976 when he became President. He served two terms in the presidency.
In the graveside oration, Tánaiste Brian Cowen said Hillery was "A humble man of simple tastes, he has been variously described as honourable, decent, intelligent, courteous, warm and engaging. He was all of those things and more. . He is buried at St. Fintan's Cemetery, Sutton, as are Comdt Brendan Houlihan and John McLaughlin.
