President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to musician and broadcaster Tony MacMahon, who has died aged 82.
In a statement, President Higgins said Mr MacMahon was "one of Ireland's iconic presences among musicians".
He said Mr MacMahon brought "to performance in so many forms, places and venues the talent of a maestro. To hear him play Port Na bPúcai, for example, was to feel transported into another world.
"His commitment to traditional music and to the friendship of his fellow musicians was full of integrity."
Mr MacMahon was an influential accordion player and also presented and produced traditional music programmes for RTÉ.
Among the programmes he produced were The Pure Drop, The Green Linnet and The Long Note.
He made numerous recordings, both solo and with musicians, including Noel Hill.
Musician Martin Hayes described him as a "giant" of traditional music and an inspiration.
The great Tony McMahon has passed away. For me he will always be one of the truly great musicians of all time. He encouraged and inspired me from a very young age. Traditional Irish music has lost a giant figure. RIP Tony. pic.twitter.com/z5T5ln4uvN
— Martin Hayes (@MHayesmusic) October 8, 2021
Musician Paddy Glackin said Mr MacMahon was a "unique" accordion player who found levels in the music "that very very few musicians were able to find".
Tributes have been paid to musician and broadcaster Tony MacMahon, who has died aged 82. Musician Paddy Glackin said he was a "unique" accordion player who found levels in the music "that very very few musicians were able to find". | Read: https://t.co/8C82wVcv1p pic.twitter.com/ogACGbIIP0
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 9, 2021
