President Michael D Higgins is leading tributes to the playwright Brian Friel - who has died at the age of 86.
The Tyrone-born writer was famous for internationally-acclaimed works including Philadelphia, Here I Come and Dancing At Lughnasa.
The Arts Council of Ireland says Friel deserves his place at the 'top table' of world playwrights - while Taoiseach Enda Kenny says he was the consummate Irish storyteller.
One of Brian Friel's best known works is Philadelphia, Here I Come.
Seantor David Norris says he was one of the first people to review it when it was staged.
"I was the first reviewer of that play, it was in the Gate Theatre I think, and I was involved with Icarus - which was a Trinity College under-graduate magazine" he said.
"I went to the play and I reviewed it glowingly; and when Brian Friel was nominated to the Senate we had a little chat and he remembered the review" he added.
