Former RTÉ GAA commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh was like a grandfather to the nation, his funeral has heard.
His funeral mass, which was conducted in both Irish and English, was held at the church of Naomh Muire in Daingean Uí Chúis, Co Kerry.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh died on Tuesday at the Mater Hospital in Dublin. He was 93.
He is survived by his wife Helena, his children Éamonn, Niamh, Aonghus, Cormac, Neasa, Nuala, Éadaoin and Doireann, and his grandchildren.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Minister for Education Norma Foley, former GAA director general Liam Mulvihill and GAA President Jarleth Burns attended the funeral mass.
President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Simon Harris were represented by their respective aide de camps.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh's coffin was draped in a Kerry flag as it was brought into the church ahead of the service.
The chief celebrant was Fr Michael Moynihan, parish priest of Daingean Uí Chúis. Bishop of Kerry Dr Ray Browne was also a celebrant as was Fr Jim Sheehy from Baile an t-Sagairt in Daingean Uí Chúis.
In his homily, Fr Michael Moynihan said Ó Muircheartaigh had lived a "remarkable" life.
He said news of his death was met with sadness across Ireland.
"It felt like the end of an era," he said.
"It is evident people across the country had a great fondness for Micheál - he was like a grandfather figure to our nation for over 60 years.
"He was part of the life in our kitchens and sitting rooms as we gathered to follow football and hurling matches. Even though he was retired since 2010, we felt that a chapter in our lives had closed (when he died), never to be reopened again," Fr Moynihan said.
He added: "We were blessed with his presence for 93 years. As we reflect on his life's journey, we recognise a life filled with passion, dedication and an enduring love for the Irish language, for education, for sport and for culture. He brought that passion to all he did."
"Kerry held a special place in Micheál's heart, his love for this beautiful county was very evident, from its landscape to its people, from its history to its culture.
"Kerry was a source of joy and pride which was both genuine and inspiring," he said.
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At the start of the mass, Mr Ó Muircheartaigh's grandchildren brought symbols of his talents and interests to the altar.
Described by his daughter Éadaoin, they represented his love of all types of sports, Gaelic games and golf particularly.
A children's book he wrote about the history of Croke Park was also brought up. A dictionary and a piece of art was brought up to represent his love for the Irish language.
His teaching degree that he achieved in 1951 and family photos were also brought to the altar as symbols. A Sam McGuire cup brought from Malawi in Africa was also presented.
His daughter explained the significance of that item: "Dad spent a while there doing charity work, so we have this as a symbol of his volunteering work and travel that he did."
The commentator's son Aonghus told his funeral that, unknown to the family, his father had arranged several years ago to have his casket made by the Lynch family undertakers.
"A little bit of his humour maybe and completing the story properly," his son said.
"He had great energy and enthusiasm for action and didn't believe in tiredness," he recalled.
"Some parents might be awakened by their children jumping up and down on a bed. We experienced the opposite.
"Dad would literally jump up and down early mornings, he often woke his children and grandchildren banging pots and pans together.
"Another time we were awakened by him chipping golf balls into pots outside of our bedroom to wake us up in time for a golf tournament.
"Anything that would make plenty of noise so that we'd be on the road in time. And in this case five in the morning," he said.
Delivering the eulogy, former Kerry footballer and fellow broadcaster Mícheál Ó Sé delivered a tribute in Irish during the mass.
He said the greatest compliment you can give to any Irish person is to say they are a good storyteller.
"Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh was an extraordinary storyteller," he said. "A microphone in Micheál's hand was like a brush in the hand of an artist."
Mr Ó Sé said Mr Ó Muircheartaigh loved the big sporting occasions, which would give extra energy to his commentaries, and he put thousands under a spell with his words.
"He was the voice of the nation," he added.
He said that commentary changed a lot between 1949 when Mr Ó Muircheartaigh started and when he retired in 2010. But he said he did not need to change anything, as he had his own style.
"All he needed was a copy book, the two teams written out himself and biros of every colour suiting the colours of the hurlers' helmets," he added.
An audio clip of Mr Ó Muircheartaigh reflecting on his upbringing and his love of Co Kerry was then played to mourners.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh was buried afterwards at Baile an Mhuilinn.
