The funeral of Mr John Hunt, the art historian and founder director of the Hunt Museum in Limerick, takes place in Dublin this morning. Hundreds of people attended the removal of the remains of Mr Hunt (47) to St Fintan's Church, Sutton, Co Dublin, last evening.
Mr Hunt, who was born in Limerick in 1957, died on Sunday night at his home in Howth, Co Dublin. He had been ill for some time.
The remains were received yesterday by Father Raymond Molony, parish priest of Sutton, who extended sympathy to Mr Hunt's widow, Patricia, and the couple's three young children, John, Paddy and Miriam.
Father Molony also extended condolences to Mr Hunt's sister, Trudy, also a director of the Hunt Museum, which opened in 1997.
John and Trudy Hunt were both awarded the freedom of the city of Limerick in 1997.
The Hunt Museum is home to a valuable collection assembled by their parents, the late John and Gertrude Hunt.
The collection incorporates some 2,000 pieces extending from the Neolithic period to the 20th century.
Among those who attended the removal ceremony were representatives of the arts community.
They included: Dr Patrick Wallace, director of the National Museum; Mr Patrick Murphy of the RHA Gallery; and Mr Robert Armstrong, board member of Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, of which latter body Mr Hunt was a former director.
Art historian Ruairí Ó Cuív, a close friend of Mr Hunt's, was also present, as were Ms Patricia Quinn, former chief executive of the Arts Council, and artists Alice Maher and Sam Walshe.
Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly, Mr John Maloney, was among the mourners and the many neighbours and friends of the Hunt family who attended included the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, whose home is in Howth.
The funeral Mass of Mr Hunt begins in St Fintan's Church at 11 a.m. today and burial takes place afterwards to St Fintan's Cemetery.
