Ken Whitaker was a frequent visitor to the Irish Farmers Journal office. There have rightly been numerous tributes to his role in shaping a modern, outward-looking Ireland.

His brilliant, nation-changing civil service career was cut short following persistent disagreements with his then political master, Charlie Haughey, but his move to the governership of the Central Bank still allowed him to be involved in commenting but, to a much more limited extent, influencing national economic policy. He had strong principles, an exceptionally keen intelligence, outstanding judgement and a courtesy that extended to everyone he met, no matter how junior.

It is hard to think of an aspect of Irish life he did not touch for the better – economics, trade and national development, education and culture as well as relationships within the island of Ireland and beyond. He also brought a set of values and guiding principles to his role as Governor of the Central Bank which, if they had been followed by his successors, would have spared the country many of the traumas of recent years. He was truly one of the founders of the Irish State and his legacy continues to endure.

He was in fact most at home in the Irish countryside. He was an enthusiastic fisherman, a craft that needs patience and skill. He had exhibited both characteristics throughout his long and fruitful life.

May he rest in peace.