Peter Barry, the former tanaiste, was described as a man of integrity and principle who was devoted to his wife and family at his funeral yesterday.
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It was a matter of huge personal pride to him that the family tea business was built by his grandfather, the son of a north Cork blacksmith, through his ability to taste and blend tea.
Mr Hume said it was not just his work on negotiating the Anglo-Irish Agreement between then Irish premier Garret FitzGerald and then British prime minister Margaret Thatcher that distinguished him but also his commitment to its faithful implementation.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that Peter gave “outstanding service” to his country and to his native city.
But it was in his role as foreign affairs minister in the years leading up to the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement – credited with being a stepping stone to the Good Friday Agreement – that he is best remembered.
The Taoiseach said “our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved family at the loss of their father”.
Michael D Higgins said: “It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the passing of Peter Barry, who will be remembered by all who served in the Dáil with him, and indeed by the wider political community, for his great courtesy”.
Peter Barry, former Tánaiste, Minister and Deputy leader of Fine Gael has passed away.
The wealthy businessman and political deal maker was a key player in Anglo-Irish relations during one of the most hard periods of the Northern Ireland Troubles in the mid-1980s.
He served as a TD for Cork for nearly 30 years, and held many Cabinet roles – including transport, education and the environment.
Until he retired from national politics in 1997 he served in a number of senior government positions including the education, transport and environment portfolios.
The father of six was succeeded by one of his two daughters, Deirdre Clune, as TD in his old constituency.
Former Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes says he was a very considerate man.
Mr Barry was laid to rest alongside his wife Margaret, who died in 2013.
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He preferred avoid publicity in retirement but made headlines a decade ago when he purchased the Michael Collins/Kitty Kiernan letters to be displayed in Cork Library and not be lost to an overseas buyer.
