Tributes to the former Taoiseach Dr Garret FitzGerald have been pouring into irishtimes.com since news broke of his passing yesterday morning with over one hundred comments left so far.
Common themes throughout the posts have included Dr Fitzgerald's integrity as a politician, the role he played in Anglo-Irish relations, his intellectual capabilities and his personal warmth.
Here is a flavour of what people have been saying so far:
Aidan Foley - His integrity, clarity and sharp intellect will be sorely missed in the years ahead. One of the very few politicians whom one always felt was in politics for the greater good, rather than personal gain. A huge loss.
Finola O'Sullivan - British-Irish relations in this new century owe an enormous amount to the diplomatic leadership of Garret Fitzgerald in the last. As an Irish citizen living in England, I wept while listening on the web to the speeches live from Dublin Castle on Wednesday night and was shocked to awaken on Thursday morning to the news of his death. Thank you for all you did for both countries, Garret, and for reminding us of the power of the pen over the sword. Maith an Fear!
Anna Hyams - A man of great intellect, which he used in the service of this country. A man the country could be proud of. He will be sorely missed.
Michael Gannon - Garret FitzGerald is a legend to my generation because of the liberal and pluralist Ireland he articulated and inspired. That Ireland has come to pass and his contribution to it, particularly through the Anglo Irish Agreement, which was the most significant since the Treaty of 1921, laid its foundations. His intellectual contribution to Irish life is immense. Saturdays without Garret FitzGerald in the Irish Times will not be the same again. May he rest in peace.
Oisín Quinn - His energy and vigour and commitment to the public good, especially in recent years, was very inspiring. Truly one of Ireland's great citizens.
John Anthony Murphy - With regard to the death of Garret FitzGerald, may I hope he died with a smile on his face, after hearing HM The Queen start her speech in Irish. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Tony McCoy O'Grady - He was the reason I met my wife. I told a member of Fine Gael - at a fundraiser - that I could never join while Liam Cosgrave was leader, but that I would join if Garret ever took over. He did... I did... and she was a member of the branch I joined. I am deeply grateful, and told him so. When I told him that a brother of mine also met his wife in FG, he said he hoped I had joined for other reasons!
Danny Cunningham - Garret was a beacon of hope and light in difficult times and an Irish politician, statesman who commanded respect on the world stage, Garret thanks for the memories May you rest in peace.
Michael Heavey - Garret Fitzgerald was the present day embodiment of the best of the United Irishmen. A genuine Republican.
Bill Redmond - A man of absolute integrity and rigorous intellect and a dedicated, outstanding public servant. He was by a long way the outstanding statesman of our times, and perhaps of the whole history of our state. He inspired respect and affection and home and abroad. He will be sadly missed.
Sean Boyle - A man of courage and integrity, who brought some much-needed intellectual honesty and maturity to political life. The contrast with Haughey shows up the choices the country was (and is) faced with. Too often, unfortunately, we have made the wrong choice.
Shane Dempsey - Historian, economist, politician, barrister, journalist and Irish intellectual at a time when it was deeply unfashionable to be so. We dearly need people of this calibre in power again.
Jane Aelst - I have been listening to the accolades from the great and the good throughout the morning. The two words that repeatedly get mentioned are "integrity" and "service". Unimpeachable honesty, combined with complete and selfless dedication to the needs of one's country, are not normally characteristics we associate with Irish politicians. In this, as in so much else, Garret was the exception. We will miss him. As far as I am concerned, he is the only true statesman that this country has ever produced.
John Sullivan - A wonderful intellect, ever a stimulus for thought regardless of whether one agreed with his view ,a genuine European, Irishman and lover of peace, honest and kind with a wisdom that we will sadly miss. Such men are not easily found. Ireland is much, much emptier for his passing. May he rest in peace.
Sadhbh O'Dwyer - Thank you.