Emmylou Harris, Michael Flatley, Finbar Furey and John Sheahan of The Dubliners were among those paying tribute to the late Chieftains leader Paddy Moloney on Friday night's Late Late Show.

Finbar, who first met Donnycarney man Paddy when he was 14, said that he was in shock when he first heard the news of his passing last Tuesday at the age of 82.

"I was at a wedding in Belfast, and it was kind of hit and run, in and out, and I heard the news when I got home," he said. "I was absolutely in shock because the last person I thought was Paddy - he was like someone who would be around forever."

Speaking in a pre-recorded video message, singer Emmylou Harris said, "It was Paddy and The Chieftains who first introduced me to those turbulent rhythms and heart-breaking melodies of traditional Irish music and really Paddy almost singlehandedly brought it to the world stage.

"His passion and energy were something to behold but I also found that he was a joy to be around on stage and in the pub. Paddy will be sorely missed but his legacy will endure for generations to come. What a gift he gave to all of us."

John Sheahan, who was in the same class as the late musician in Marino School in Dublin, recalled the evening that himself and Paddy were at "a very polite" gathering in Áras an Uachtaráin when Paddy produced his tin whistle for an impromptu session

"We were having polite conversation and Paddy gave me a wink and said, `Have you got the gadget in your pocket?’ and the two of us lashed into a couple of reels and the whole atmosphere changed completely, people were singing and dancing and after a couple of hours we were nearly thrown out of the place."

He also remembered Paddy's talent for adapting to any song including an on-the-spot version of Hey Jude by The Beatles at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. "You could mention any song and he’d know it."

Yesterday, Mick Jagger tweeted his sadness at Paddy’s passing and as well as the Rolling Stones, The Chieftains collaborated with an incredible array of acts including Madonna, Tom Jones, Ry Cooder, Van Morrison

"There was a terrible joke years ago based on the why did the chicken cross the road? To do a duet with Paddy Moloney," said John. "Every collaboration he did was musically sound, but he was quite an astute businessman as well because these collaborations introduced the group to a wider audience."

"Paddy loved music, all types of music, there were no barriers," said Fintan. "The first time I met Paddy I was 14 years of age and I was a on a train, and we were going to a football match in Boyle or Sligo, and I was actually busking at the football match.

"I had the pipes with me and I Paddy was sitting there and he got me to play the pipes and when he heard I was busking he had a little whip around for me. That was my first meeting with Paddy."

John added, "Paddy was not just a star. He was like a supernova burning out and we’ve left here in the shadows lingering and thinking of him."