THE Hollywood star Sharon Stone and the co-founder of the Peace People movement, Betty Williams, were among the diverse range of signatories to leave tributes to the former deputy first minister Seamus Mallon at the opening of a book of condolence in Belfast.
Tributes have poured in for the former SDLP deputy leader, who died at his home in Markethill on Friday, aged 83.
He will be buried today following Requiem Mass at Saint James of Jerusalem Church in Mullaghbrack, Co Armagh.
Considered an architect of the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement, Mr Mallon was the deputy first minister for three years following the return of the power-sharing Assembly in 1998.
Books of condolence were opened at Belfast City Hall and Derry's Guildhall over the weekend, while visitors to the Palace in Armagh will also have the opportunity to leave tributes from 10am this morning.
Further books of condolence will also be opened throughout today in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre and Banbridge Civic Building.
In Belfast on Saturday, the Hollywood actress Sharon Stone signed the book and wrote: "With respect and admiration."
She later signed one of Belfast's peace walls in memory of Mr Mallon during a visit to the city with Betty Williams, who co-founded the Peace People movement and was a joint recipient of the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize.
"Particularly at the beginning of the peace movement, he was such a strong character for peace," Ms Williams said.
The current SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, tweeted that "Seamus would have had some laugh at Sharon Stone turning up to sign his book of condolence".
In his own message at the Guildhall in Derry, Mr Eastwood wrote "you planted the trees, now it's over to us".
The former US President Bill Clinton said he and his wife, QUB Chancellor Hillary, were "saddened" at the news.
"Seamus never wavered from his vision for a shared future where neighbours of all faiths could live in dignity - or from the belief he shared with John Hume and the entire SDLP that non-violence was the only way to reach that goal," said President Clinton.
"As the inaugural deputy first minister, he worked with David Trimble to ensure that the peace he had spent 30 years struggling to build would not crumble under the weight of politics or the past.
"A teacher in practice and in heart, the lessons of his life and power of his example are as important today as ever."
Mr Mallon served for a period in the Republic's Senate and the independent senator, Ian Marshall, who is also from Markethill in Co Armagh, said he had given "a lifetime of selfless service to the people of Ireland", north and south.
Mealla Campbell, the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, said: "Whilst Seamus went on to hold many offices during a very successful political career his first role was as a councillor on Armagh District Council. It is only fitting therefore that we open a book of condolence to allow members of the public to pay tribute to one of our most dedicated public servants."
The Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, described Mr Mallon as a "peacemaker firmly committed to building a better future for all".
"Seamus Mallon was by profession a teacher and then politician, a leader and risk taker. He was an outspoken opponent of violence, who saw a better way of living if the people of this island learned to understand each other better," he said.
