The President is leading the tributes to Seamus Heaney who has died at the age of 74.
The poet, playwright and Nobel Laureate passed away this morning in a Dublin hospital.
Seamus Heaney's family confirmed his death in a short statement this morning.
The 74 year old, originally from Co Derry and who lived in Sandymount in Dublin, died at the Blackrock Clinic.
The world famous poet and playwright, who was awarded the 1995 Nobel Prize for Literature, had been ill for a short time.
He's survivied by his wife Marie and his three children Christopher, Michael and Catherine Ann.
President Michael D Higgins says Seamus Heaney's "contribution to the republics of letters, conscience, and humanity was immense."
President Higgins speaking in Dublin:
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny says his death brings "great sorrow to Ireland, to language and to literature."
The Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan says he was "one of the most important writers of our age, who's loss will be keenly felt in Ireland and across the world."
The Arts Council says the celebration of its bursary award winners on September 12th will now be dedicated to Seamus Heaney's memory.
