VIGILS were held for Martin McGuinness across Ireland last night as friends remembered his role in "transforming Irish politics".
The one-time IRA commander, Sinn Féin MP and Deputy First Minister will be laid to rest tomorrow afternoon following Requiem Mass at Derry's St Columba's Church, Long Tower overlooking his native Bogside.
The 66-year-old died at the city's Altnagelvin Hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning, surrounded by his family.
His health had deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks due to a rare heart condition.
Large crowds yesterday braved snow and sleet to accompany his coffin, draped in a tricolour, from the funeral parlour to his family home in Derry.
Candelit vigils were also held for Mr McGuinness in Andersonstown in west Belfast, where several thousand people paid their respects, and in Dublin, Galway and several towns across the north, as well as outside the European Parliament in Brussels.
The Stormont assembly will convene today at noon for MLAs to pay tribute to their former colleague before party leaders open a book of condolence in Parliament Buildings' Great Hall.
The flag above Leinster House in Dublin will be flown at half mast tomorrow, while Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth was sending a private message to Mr McGuinness' family.
An emotional Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said his long-time friend was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace, reconciliation and the reunification of Ireland.
"We are very, very sad that we lost him overnight," he said.
Mr McGuinness's former government partner Peter Robinson said no other republican could have performed the role he did during the north's transition from conflict to peace.
"In the difficult days we presently face, his influence will be greatly missed," he said.
His successor Arlene Foster expressed her condolences to the McGuinness family, saying he was foremost a "much loved husband, father and grandfather".
"History will record differing views and opinions on the role Martin McGuinness played throughout the recent and not so recent past but history will also show that his contribution to the political and peace process was significant," she said.
British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is scheduled to visit the north tomorrow, said Mr McGuinness made "an essential and historic contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace".
Other key figures in the peace process, including former prime ministers Sir John Major and Tony Blair and ex-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, highlighted his efforts to bring about an end to violence.
"Once he became the peace maker he became it wholeheartedly," said Mr Blair.
Mr Ahern described the one-time IRA commander as a great leader, an extraordinary person, honest and an upfront negotiator.
"In negotiations when there is a lot at stake and it can't be a 'winner takes all' - Martin understood compromise," he said.
Mr McGuinness's successor as the party's leader at Stormont, Michelle O'Neill, said he was a "giant of a man".
"His leadership, grace and warm personality have transformed Irish politics for the better and his impact will be felt for many years to come," she said.
Ian Paisley Jnr, who worked alongside his father and the Sinn Féin veteran during their time leading the Stormont executive, acknowledged that many would have "mixed feelings" on his passing.
But the North Antrim MP said he had gone from viewing Mr McGuinness as the "godfather of the IRA" to considering him a personal friend.
President Michael D Higgins said Mr McGuinness's death left a gap that would be hard to fill.
"The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland," he said.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "Martin will always be remembered for the remarkable political journey that he undertook in his lifetime. Not only did Martin come to believe that peace must prevail, he committed himself to working tirelessly to that end."
