President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to poet and playwright Tom MacIntyre who has died aged 87.
Born in Cavan in 1931, Mr MacIntyre was a bilingual playwright, poet and short-story writer.
He was best known for his theatre work, in particular 'The Great Hunger' - an acclaimed collaboration with director Patrick Mason and actor Tom Hickey.
President Higgins said Mr MacIntyre is "such a very great loss to the world of letters and performance."
He added: "Tom McIntyre's work received accolades, not only at home but abroad, where the experimental and original themes and settings attracted directors young and old. To have him as a friend was a special gift."
Mr MacIntyre published numerous volumes of poetry, short stories, as well as 'The Charollais' and 'Through The Bridewell Gate', which was a sharp examination of the 1970 Arms Trial.
He studied at UCD and worked as a teacher before becoming a full-time writer.
Many of his plays were premiered at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, with 16 world premieres presented at the Abbey's Peacock Theatre, his "spiritual home".
Over a career lasting a half-century, Mr McIntyre won a number of awards, including the Irish Times/ESB Irish Theatre Best New Play Award for 'The Gallant John Joe' in 2002 and the Stewart Parker prize for 'Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire' in 1999.
His selected stories 'The Word for Yes' was published by Gallery Press.
He was elected a member of Aosdána in 1991.
Mr MacIntyre died last night after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife Celine and five children, Deirdre, Darragh, Donal, Desmond and Tadhg from his first marriage to Peggy McCarthy.
Former taoiseach John Bruton also paid tribute to Mr MacIntyre, who taught him English and History when he attended Clongowes Wood College.
He said: "He opened my mind to a new view of the world. He was unconventional, irreverent and also a very kind person, whose personality inspired many of his students to explore the world of poetry."
Directors of the Abbey Theatre Graham McLaren and Neil Murray also paid tribute to Mr MacIntyre.
They said his work featured Irish themes and characters and as "a man close to the lakes and drumlins of his native home, Tom called on its language, myth, folklore and landscape in his writings".
His collaborations with Mason and Hickey were "world renowned and changed the theatrical landscape. The three were fondly referred to as the 'lunatics in the basement [of the Peacock] by the Abbey staff."
They said: "Tom has been an integral part of the Abbey's history. Presenting 16 world premieres at the Peacock - perhaps his spiritual home - he was a committed colleague and friend. Encouraging of new talent, Tom was always willing to give of himself. He will be greatly missed."
Mr MacIntyre's career at the Abbey Theatre spanned 37 years.
1972 - Eye-Winker, Tom-Tinker
1976 - Jack Be Nimble
1977 - Find The Lady
1983 - The Great Hunger
1984 - The Bearded Lady
1985 - Rise Up Lovely Sweeney
1987 - Dance for Your Daddy
1988 - Snow White
1990 - Kitty O'Shea
1994 - Sheep's Milk on the Boil
1995 - Good Evening, Mr Collins
1997 - The Chirpaun
1998 - Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire
1999 - Cúirt an Mheán Oíche
2005 - What Happened Bridgie Cleary
2009 - Only an Apple
In 2012, the Abbey Theatre celebrated his legacy with a tribute night of stories and readings of his plays, surrounded by friends and colleagues.
