Political representatives and public figures are paying tribute to the late Senator Tras Honan, who will be laid to rest tomorrow.
The former Ennis native remains the only woman to serve as Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann and has been described as the only person who “could bully Charlie Haughey and tell him what to do”.
Deemed a “trailblazer” and a “consummate and natural politician” by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Tras Honan was a lifelong Fianna Fáil member and served as a senator between 1977 and 1992.
Having been elected as Cathaoirleach on two occasions, she remains the only woman to hold the position since the foundation of the state.
After marrying her late husband Derry Honan, a former senator, Mrs Honan moved to Ennis in 1950 and ran the Honan family pub on O’Connell Square.
Subsequently, she was the first woman to be elected to the Ennis Urban District Council and later served as Cathaoirleach.
Ballybeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy believes her can-do attitude and resilience made her “a strength to many women”.
Aside from her political work, Mrs Honan was active in her community and was a founding member of the Ennis and District Soroptimists, whose fundraising and advocacy work resulted in the foundation of St Clare’s and St Anne’s special needs schools.
Following her retirement from politics, she relocated to Waterford, where she passed away last Saturday, aged 93.
Clare Fianna Fáil PRO, Michael McTigue insists her lasting legacy will be her ability to command a room and influence even the most headstrong of politicians.
Tras Honan will lie in repose this evening in Ennis, and will be laid to rest tomorrow, following 10.30 Funeral Mass St. Joseph’s Church.
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