More than 5,000 people have travelled to Castleblayney in Co Monaghan to pay their respects to Big Tom McBride.
The country and Irish singer is lying in repose at the Oram Community Centre.
The doors were opened at the centre just after midday and many of the first people to file through the centre were fellow entertainers and musicians from all over the country.
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A large number of concert promoters and band managers are also in attendance.
Ben Dolan, brother of the late Joe Dolan, Tom Allen, otherwise known as TR Dallas, and the singer Margo were some of the first representatives of the showband industry to attend.
Fans have said the singer's contribution to the Irish Diaspora around the world needed to be recognised by the State in years to come.
Mr McBride's remains will repose at the community centre until 8pm this evening.
His funeral mass takes place on Friday at 11am in Oram.
Steady flow of sympathisers paying their respects to the late Tom McBride at Oram GAA Communuty Centre all day pic.twitter.com/FtpEVUBWyM
— Ciaran Mullooly (@ciaranmullooly) April 18, 2018
