JUDE COLLINS whose new book 'Martin: The Man I Knew', was launched in Derry this week says he feels proud to have gathered the testimony and tributes to the late republican leader.
When I first met Martin McGuinness almost twenty years ago, the first thing that struck me was his straight-forwardness. It’s a quality not unique to Derry people but you’re more likely to find it there.
When he was first shown his office as Minister for Education, his comment was, “Nice desk”. When the civil servants asked him how he’d like to be addressed, he told them: “ ‘Martin’ will do”.
After two minutes of conversation, you felt you’d known him for most of your life. He was Christy Moore’s ‘Ordinary Man’. And at the same time exceptional.
In the past year of compiling interviews for the book, I met with Peter King. As most know, the Republican Congressman played a key role in the 1990s when with others he persuaded President Bill Clinton to grant a visa to Gerry Adams and later Martin McGuinness. King told me that he worked on the belief that once people in the States were exposed to Gerry Adams or Martin McGuinness face to face, the media caricature they’d been carrying in their heads would collapse.
King’s take on Martin was common. Again and again, people like Jonathan Powell, David Latimer, Eileen Paisley told me of their surprise when the media monster they’d expected turned out to be the pleasant, unassuming figure in front of them.
But with Martin, it went beyond friendliness. He could make you feel he was the one pleased to be in your company. I have a photograph on my study wall, taken in 2002 by Hugh Russell of the Irish News, at the launch of one of my books. I’m busy signing my name on the fly-leaf of the novel and Martin stands beside me, hands clasped, beaming like someone who’s just been accorded a significant honour. As if.
Determination
He also had an abundant supply of patience and perseverance. When he commited himself to a role or a goal, he committed himself fully. His daily commute from Derry to Belfast and back each day was typical. Common sense said stay in Belfast overnight; but Martin liked to end the day with his wife and family, so that’s how it was. This steely determination no doubt served him well during the years of conflict. It served him equally well in politics. If he was going to do politics, he was going to do them the way they should be done.
And he expected the same total commitment from others. In her interview for my book, the new Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald talks about working with Martin and The Look. How, if you’d done something sloppily or partially, Martin didn’t start a shouting match or even issue a verbal rebuke. He just produced The Look. One experience of that Look helped you resolve never to act in a way that’d merit a second Look.
Aodhan Mac an tSaor, the nephew of Derry’s Eddie McAteer, worked closely with Martin over many years. He told me Martin thought nothing of establishing contact at any hour of the day or night, if something he considered important was on his mind. No good to plead the need for a night’s sleep. “No republican should be sleeping when there’s a crisis going on!” Aodhan remembers him saying.
Greatness identifies itself through one ever-present feature: modesty. Great writers, artists, politicians are too focused on the task to have time for pretension. Martin McGuinness was devoid of pretension. He was ordinary, charming, demanding - of himself and others – and great.
It’s a cliché but it’s also true: I feel privileged to have known him, and proud to have gathered the testimony of so many people who knew him better than me: Senator George Mitchell, Baroness Eileen Paisley, former chief adviser to Tony Blair Jonathan Powell, US Congressman Peter King, Gerry Adams, and Martin’s life-long friend and neighbour, Mitchel McLaughlin. Among others.
The crowds at Martin’s funeral a year ago showed the world the depth of pride and love the Bogside community had for this fearless and friendly man. And Arlene Foster got one thing right: we shall not look upon his like again.
PICTURE:Hugh Russell's photograph of Jude Collins and Martin McGuinness that hangs on the author's study wall.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email editor@derrynews.net at any time.