Simplify the following text for a Grade 13 native English-speaking person.
Original: Ã amon de Valera , by now Leader of the Opposition also did not attend , being represented by a senior Fianna FÃ il figure who was a member of the Church of Ireland , Erskine Childers , a future President of Ireland himself .
Simplified: Ã amon de Valera , by now Leader of the Opposition , was represented by a senior Fianna FÃ il figure who was a member of the Church of Ireland , Erskine Childers , a future President of Ireland himself .