University College Cork has said it is "deeply saddened" to learn of the passing of Emeritus Professor John A Murphy.
Prof Murphy's association with UCC spans more than seven decades, beginning in 1945 when he studied History and Latin there as a student.
He took up the role of Assistant Lecturer in 1960 before being appointed Professor of History in 1971.
In a statement, UCC said: "Prof Murphy emerged as a leading and independent voice in contemporary Irish history authoring a number of important monographs, including the influential 'Ireland in the Twentieth Century'.
"A standard bearer of cultural and political pluralism and a devotee of the Irish language, he earned national recognition and admiration as an inimitable orator and public commentator."
UCC President Professor John O'Halloran, described Prof Murphy as a "giant of our institution", while Dr Mervyn O'Driscoll, Head of the School of History, said he "performed an inestimable service to Irish history".
Prof Murphy retired from UCC as Professor of Irish History in 1990 and was appointed the first University Historian in 2016.
