The primary school attended by a seven-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty in a hotel swimming pool in Co Clare on Saturday afternoon has said he will be greatly missed.
Shay Lynch, was a first-class pupil at Scoil Seanáin Naofa in Clonlara.
A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out on Sunday.
The incident occurred at the Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre, which overlooks Killaloe and Ballina.
The boy was taken to University Hospital Limerick, where he was later pronounced dead.
It is understood that a family friend had been confirmed earlier in the day and the two families were attending a celebration together in Killaloe when the tragedy happened.
Gardaí said emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly before 3pm on Saturday.
In a statement, the principal of Scoil Seanáin Naofa, Donnchadh Kelleher, paid tribute to Shay, saying his "bright smile and his kind heart endeared him to everyone in our school community".
Mr Kelleher added: "He will be greatly missed.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Tania and James, his sister Abi, the extended family and his wide circle of friends."
He said the school has implemented its critical incident management plan, and is liaising with the National Educational Psychological Service to ensure support structures are in place to help the school community.
Taoiseach extends sympathies to family
In a statement, management at the Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre offered deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the young boy.
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our lifeguards, team members and the emergency services who did all they could in responding to this incident," the statement said.
As a mark of respect, the hotel's leisure centre will remain closed for the coming days.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said the incident is "absolutely heartbreaking".
In a social media post, Mr Harris said: "I know people right across Ireland are keeping this family and the community of Clonlara in Co Clare in their thoughts and prayers at such a sad and difficult time."
Independent councillor in Clonlara, Michael Begley, expressed his sympathies to the boy's loved ones and friends.
"People are absolutely shocked," he said, adding that it had been a day of celebration for the area before the tragic turn of events.
"It's terrible, terrible altogether," he said.
As well as the inquiry by gardaí, an investigation has also been launched by the Health and Safety Authority in an attempt to find out what exactly happened.
Shay's funeral will take place at St. Senan's Church, Clonlara, at 11am on Wednesday followed by burial afterwards in St Thomas' Church grounds, Bridgetown.
