Hume Named "Ireland's Greatest"

Nobel Prize winner John Hume has been voted the greatest Irish person in history by the Irish public following a TV competition organised by RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster.

The former SDLP leader finished ahead of Michael Collins, Mary Robinson, Bono and James Connolly in the vote.

A nationwide poll was conducted to find the Top 40 names, and a shortlist of five candidates was drawn up.

Each of the five finalists was then the subject of an hour-long documentary hosted by well known personalities.

Mr Hume's case was championed by popular TV presenter Miriam O'Calllaghan, who argued that his role in the peace process changed the lives of everybody on the island of Ireland after centuries of division.

She highlighted his role in the nationalist civil rights movement, his commitment to peaceful means and his determination to open up dialogue with Sinn Fein and the IRA.

Former Justice Minister Michael McDowell championed Michael Collins, economist David McWilliams argued Mary Robinson's case, radio presenter Joe Duffy presented the program on James Connolly and radio DJ Dave Fanning made the case for Bono.

Mr Hume said he was "humbled" to have topped the island-wide survey.

"I wish to thank all those people who voted for me and express my deepest gratitude to Miriam O'Callaghan for her eloquent representations on my behalf," he said.

"I also wish to thank my colleagues and friends in the SDLP without whose support and encouragement down the years we would not have achieved so much.

"But all in all, the title of Ireland's Greatest could be given to all those men and women on this island who endorsed and campaigned for peace over many, many years."

Mr Hume's successor as leader of the SDLP said he was delighted for Mr Hume and his wife Pat

"People can write memoirs that put them at the centre of the peace process, at the centre of agreement and breakthrough, but it was John Hume who drew the map and wrote the plan and led the way," he said.

"He provided the sat-nav that brought everyone from their different and hopeless positions to the place of peace, shared institutions and stability."

There tributes to Mr Hume were widespread.

But the program itself proved controversial - many historians criticised its format, claiming it was skewed in favour of modern figures.

They questioned the absence of Charles Stewart Parnell, Daniel O'Connell, or James Joyce in the final five.

But the series generated much debate, capturing the imagination of the public and of the media, with audiences for the five documentaries averaging around 345,000.