Folk singer and publican Joe Mulheron has been remembered as an "ardent music lover" and "great character" following his death, aged 76.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Mulheron, a highly respected singer and the owner of the popular Sandinos Cafe Bar in Derry, who died on Tuesday.
Originally from Belfast, he was a keen promoter of the folk song and music tradition, organising numerous events in his adopted city and using the bar to showcase talent.
A member of the folk band, Men of No Property, he was well-known for writing his own music, including the song, The Free State Adjudicator.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said he was "very sorry to learn of the passing of well-known and respected publican and folk singer Joe Mulheron".
"Joe will be sorely missed but remembered fondly," he wrote on Twitter.
"Thinking of Joe’s family and all who knew him at this difficult time."
Very sorry to learn of the passing of well known and respected publican and folk singer Joe Mulheron.
— Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) May 10, 2023
Joe will be sorely missed but remembered fondly. Thinking of Joe’s family and all who knew him at this difficult time.
Writer and commentator Darach MacDonald also wrote on social media said: "The Man of No Property, the Voice of Resistance has fallen silent.
"The folk singer of the north’s civil rights movement and the founder of Sandino’s in Derry - the best socialist bar in the world - passed away last evening.
"Joe has gone from us, but his songs of resistance still ring around the hillside.
"No Pasaran, Vive Sandino, Vive Joe."
Other tributes described him as a "great character" , an "absolute gentleman" and a "legend".
Another post on Twitter said: "Really sad to hear of the loss of Joe Mulheron - a kind and decent man and a creator of so much that has made Derry special."
Another described Mr Mulheron as "an ardent music lover, tirelessly community minded and always with a focus on welcoming everyone through the door and making them feel like they were at home".
