A night for Heather
A friend, a confidant, a change-maker and a mother figure were among some of the descriptions of Heather Humphreys at her retirement party in Cootehill last night (Thursday).
Her popularity was expressed through the crowds that appeared at the Errigal Country House Hotel and via those who spoke of the former Fine Gael Deputy leader and Minister for Rural and Community Development. Heather first announced her retirement from politics in October last year.
An Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Tourism Patrick O'Donovan, MEP Nina Carberry, Senator Joe O'Reilly, Monaghan GAA County Board Chairperson Declan Flanagan, Constituency Chairperson Philip Kelly and Deputy David Maxwell were among those to pay tribute to Heather on the night, among other Fine Gael stalwarts and supporters.
Meanwhile Deputy Maxwell also celebrated his election and the opening of his Monaghan office earlier that day.
"It is truly truly an honour to be here to mark the career of my former colleague but my current and always close friend, one of Monaghan's finest, one of Fine Gael's very finest, Heather Humphreys," said Tánaiste Simon Harris.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs mentioned her lasting legacy in the Hot School Meals Programme, the Automatic Pension Enrolment Scheme, her role in marking the commemoration celebrations, and her devotion to her constituency work, among other feats of the Monaghan woman during her political career.
"I've never seen anybody work as hard as Heather Humphreys did," he said
"She made impact," he noted.
Minister Patrick O'Donovan also paid tribute to Heather, mentioning particularly the support she provided.
"She was kind of a motherly figure to us to be honest about it," the Minister said.
"She was unique in terms of how people outside of the party loved her as well," he said.
He spoke of Heather's close bond with her late mother, and the support she offered to him as somebody who has lost both of his parents.
"During my time in the Dáil Heather has been a very good friend to me and my family, in terms of what it is to loose somebody."
Speaking on the night, Heather Humphreys thanked everybody gathered in the room, her friends, family and colleagues who supported her in her career. She was first elected a TD in the constituency in 2011.
"While I am stepping away from political life, my passion for public service will never fade. I look forward to supporting my community in new ways and most importantly, spending more time with those I hold dear."
See more from the night in next week's Anglo-Celt.