Tributes have been paid to folk legend Liam Clancy, who died this afternoon aged 74.
He found fame as a member of the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem - the group were dubbed Ireland's first pop stars. International artists including Bob Dylan have acknowledged their profound influence on the world of music.
The Co Tipperary-born musician was surrounded by his wife Kim and daughters Siobhan and Fiona when he passed away around midday at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork.
He had spoken by telephone with his musician son Donal, who is touring in California, earlier in the day while his other son Eban was returning home from the UK.
Manager Dave Teevan said he had spoken with Clancy earlier in the week and although he was in good spirits, he regretted he wasn't as strong as he used to be.
'Liam was a man who always put the best foot forward and if he knew he was sick as he was he was very discreet,' he said.
In fact, the pair had been making plans just days ago for an interview once he had recovered from the latest bout of a six-month long respiratory illness.
He was admitted into hospital in recent weeks and it is understood he died of complications.
Clancy's last ever performances were at Dublin's National Concert Hall in May, where his worsening illness prevented him from doing a full-length show on the second night of a two-night sold-out run.
'When he did appear in the middle of the second half, the 40-minute performance he gave that night was truly remarkable,' said Teevan.
'He delivered Dylan Thomas's poem And Death Shall Have No Dominion - he knew at that time he was in close contact with his impending death and yet he was able to connect with the audience and express his fear in a way that was both dignified and beautiful.'
