Hundreds of people are attending the funeral of the singer Dolores Keane in Co Galway this afternoon.
The musician died at her home in Caherlistrane last Monday at the age of 72.
Crowds queued for several hours in advance of today's funeral mass as the Church of St Patrick and St Cuana in Kilcoona.
President Connolly is among the congregation, as is her predecessor Michael D Higgins.
The Taoiseach is being represented by his Aide de Camp, Commandant Joseph Glennon.
Symbols of Dolores Keane's life and lengthy career were brought to the altar at the start of the service.
They included one of her albums, a lifetime achievement award for her contribution to music, a concertina and a teacup, to recall memories and laughter she shared with her children and grandchildren over the years.
Musicians including Finbar Furey and Matt Molloy have also travelled to attend. They've been joined by friends from around the country, who are providing musical accompaniment during the mass.
In his homily, Chief Celebrant Fr Peter Gannon, spoke about the joy music brings and the manner in which Dolores Keane gave that gift to so many people.
"I don’t believe we can actually absorb how much our small island can be so recognised for its way of life, its traditions and its achievements," he said.
He said that over the decades, Ms Keane had been "a figure of what it stands for to be truly Irish. It is difficult to digest what she achieved over the years with her voice. She has captured the hearts of many; she has stood up among the crowd," he said.
Fr Gannon, a friend of the Keane family, said Dolores was one of "the most humble people that walked this earth".
"Even through all the universal fame, it never changed her as a person" and he said, "what was most charming, was her lifelong connection to home where the stories begun."
He said it was apt that Ms Keane had been waked in the family home, Carragh Cottage, in recent days; the place where she learned her craft and began safeguarding traditions passed on to her.
Following this afternoon's mass, Dolores Keane will be laid to rest in in Donaghpatrick cemetery.
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Obituiary: Dolores Keane: 'the queen of the soul of Ireland'
