Farewell to Christy, Ireland's '˜national golfing treasure'

He was also remembered as a devoted father, grandfather and husband as well as a dedicated fundraiser for good causes who enjoyed nothing more than a glass of wine in the company of his beloved wife Mary.

Hundreds of mourners packed into St John the Baptist church in Clontarf, overlooking Dublin Bay, for a moving farewell to the man known overseas as Himself but at home as the father of Irish golf.

The 10-times Ryder Cup challenger died at the weekend, aged 91, four months after his nephew, Christy Jnr, died suddenly in Tenerife, aged 67.

In 2009, O’Connor Snr became only the second Irishman to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, following Joe Carr two years earlier.

Among those bidding a final farewell were former winning Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, Des Smyth and countless everyday golfers in their manifold club colours and jackets from both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Many swapped stories of his countless heyday heroics on the golf course.

Chief celebrant Fr Martin Hogan, who had visited O’Connor Snr at his nearby home every month over the last six years, said he remained full of vigour and spirit even as his physical health declined.

“There was great go about him,” he said.

“When I was growing up, the name Christy O’Connor was synonymous with Irish golf.

“He was our national golfing treasure who could compete with the giants of golf from all around the world and beat many of them more than once.

“We were all very proud of him.”

Fr Hogan told the congregation that O’Connor Snr’s family meant the world to him.

“He lived for them and they were his life and, of course, Mary was the great light of his life.”

Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Enda Kenny were represented at the service by their aides de camp.

Chief mourners were O’Connor Snr’s wife Mary, his sons Christopher and Peter and daughters Marguerite, Therese and Joan.

A fourth daughter, Anne-Marie, predeceased him.

Son Peter recalled the days before golfers got superstar treatment when all the family would be squeezed into the car to head for the Irish Open, stopping off for Mass along the way.