HUNDREDS of mourners, who gathered in Belfast on Tuesday for the funeral of journalist and writer Henry McDonald, heard him described as an "extraordinary man who did the most extraordinary things".
Family, friends and colleagues of the 57-year-old who died last on February 19 following a short illness, came together at the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast for the non-religious service.
Celebrated by humanist minister Janni Knox, Mr McDonald's remains were carried into the venue to the theme of TV police drama Z Cars, the anthem of Everton Football Club.
Other music played during the service included Joy Division's `Love Will Tear Us Apart', David Bowie's `Sound and Vision', and Stiff Little Fingers' `Alternative Ulster' as well as classical piano piece Clair De Lune by Claude Debussy.
The father-of-three, who was from the Markets area of south Belfast, began his career as a reporter at The Irish News in the late 1980s.
He then moved to the former Irish Press in Dublin before continuing on to the BBC. He later worked for The Sunday Times before he became the Ireland correspondent for The Observer and then The Guardian.
Most recently, he had worked as political correspondent for The News Letter.
Mr McDonald, who was a lifelong fan of Cliftonville FC and Everton FC, had also written books about the Troubles and biographies of former Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble and former Sinn Féin deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
He co-authored Deadly Divisions, about the INLA, in 1994 and had also co-authored books on the UVF and UDA.
In 2017, he released his first novel, The Swinging Detective, and two years later, released a second, Two Souls.
Around 300 mourners crowded into the venue for the service at Gordon Street.
Sunday World journalist Hugh Jordan, who played the ukelele, sang `Mack The Knife' as a tribute while lifelong friend Arthur Magee also sang during the service.
Personal tributes were delivered by Mr McDonald's cousin, Eamonn Matthews and journalist Ed O'Loughlin.
In a family tribute, Mr McDonald's oldest daughter, Lauren said her father was "the most extraordinary person who did the most extraordinary things and we are so proud to be his children".
Younger daughter Ellen read a poem called Piano by D. H. Lawrence.
During the service Ms Knox paid tribute to Mr McDonald, who she said she had known for more than 30 years, as she thanked him for helping Oakwood Integrated School in Belfast obtain funding.
Among those who attended the service were former SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell and former Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt.
Irish News managing director Dominic Fitzpatrick and editor, Noel Doran also attended alongside broadcasters Paul Clark, from UTV, and Mark Devenport, from the BBC, and News Letter editor, Ben Lowry.
Also in attendance were authors Glenn Patterson, Richard O'Rawe and Malachi O'Doherty as well as well-known music promoter Terri Hooley.
Following the service, interment took place at Roselawn Cemetery.
