Taoiseach Micheál Martin is among those who have paid tribute to veteran RTÉ broadcaster Donncha Ó Dúlaing, who has died at the age of 88.

Mr Ó Dúlaing, from Doneraile, Co Cork, was known for his cultural and traditional music programmes.

Donncha Ó Dúlaing with Dermot Morgan and Larry Gogan

His broadcasting career spanned more than half a century during which he presented radio and television programmes that had wide-ranging appeal.

Micheál Martin has called Mr Ó Dúlaing "an outstanding broadcaster who brought much joy to his loyal listeners over the decades".

"Highways and Byways reached parts of Ireland that didn't always get attention," Mr Martin wrote on a social media post.

In Dingle in 1980

"His interviews will live long in the memory."

Director General of RTÉ Dee Forbes said that Mr Ó Dúlaing was a proud Corkman whose long-running programmes were "as iconic as the man himself".

Mr Ó Dúlaing pictured in 1968

"A tireless fundraiser, his charity walks were as legendary as the many legends who crossed his path, from Eamon de Valera to Pope John Paul II, Mick Jagger to Gene Kelly," Ms Forbes said.

"When he closed his beloved parlour of dreams with the final Fáilte Isteach in 2015, it brought to an end a 50-year career in broadcasting.

"His contribution to public service broadcasting, to Irish life and Irish lives, was immense."

Head of RTÉ Radio One Peter Woods said that Mr Ó Dúlaing was a central part of Irish cultural life during his career as a broadcaster.

"The word 'legend' is sometimes used lightly but he was that," Mr Woods said.

"He loved the road and, in an era, when radio outside broadcasts usually came from a mobile unit, Donncha adapted early to technology and ranged across the country with a tape recorder. He had great enthusiasm for radio and presented Fáilte Isteach well into his 80s.

"He said [Christy] Ring's advice was to keep an eye on the ball, even when it was in the referee's hand - that advice characterised the broadcasting career of Donncha Ó Dúlaing. He was a one off."

Many other have also paid their respects to the late broadcaster.