Remembering Martin

When the news broke on Friday afternoon that Martin Mansergh had passed away, many of us were left in shock. It was hard to believe.

I first met Martin during his time working with Taoiseach Charles Haughey. A remarkable wordsmith, Martin championed many of Haughey’s great speeches. His monumental collection, “The Spirit of the Nation,” captured every word and syllable delivered by the former Taoiseach.

During my early career, these speeches became an invaluable source of knowledge and inspiration. I still treasure the signed copy of the book Martin kindly gave me and has pride of place on my bookshelf.

Born in Surrey in 1946, Martin studied politics, philosophy, and economics at Christ Church, Oxford, before joining the Irish Civil Service. In 1980, he became sole speechwriter to Taoiseach Charles Haughey. I had the privilege of working with him across various manifesto launches, but it was during his time with Albert Reynolds when peace was being forged that I saw Martin’s craft and determination most clearly.

Martin Mansergh was part of a secret Fianna Fáil delegation to meet Sinn Féin and other parties in Northern Ireland during their terms in office.

His high pitched laugh and very British tones sometimes bemused Northern and UK politicians, but behind that was a man of immense conviction. Martin helped draft the Downing Street Declaration, a testament to his role in advancing peace.

He was deeply respected across all communities working with Father Alec Reid a member of the Redemptorist order on the nationalist side, and kindly introducing me to members of the unionist community including Gusty Spence.

Though he declined to serve John Bruton, Martin later returned under Bertie Ahern, always lending his pen and his mind to moments that shaped Irish history, he helped make the Good Friday Agreement a reality.

Martin, has truly done the State some service. An honourable man, deeply committed to public service, he helped find new ways of advancing the great cause of peace and reconciliation on this island.

Rest in peace.