DUP First Minister Peter Robinson described Ian Paisley as a man who left an "indelible mark", while Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness praised him for leading unionists into a "new accommodation with republicans and nationalists".

Mr Robinson said that, in the 1960s, Mr Paisley, latterly Lord Bannside, was drawn towards politics by the strength of his message and by his charisma. "He provided firm and decisive leadership when unionism lacked it most and when it needed it most.

“His enthusiasm and sheer joy of life was infectious and he could energise an audience like no other person I have met before or since.”

Mr Robinson said he was a giant and that "Ulster will never see the like of him again".

“A long and glorious period of Ulster history has now closed,” he said, “and already the province seems a little less colourful. Ian has taken his place in history alongside the greats of unionism, making our heritage even more rich. To have known him and stood alongside him for so many years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams offered condolences to the Paisley family, while Mr McGuinness, who worked with Paisley in running Stormont, said: "Over . . . decades we were political opponents and held very different views on many, many issues, but the one thing we were absolutely united on was the principle that our people were better able to govern themselves than any British government."

Former SDLP leader John Hume said: "History will record his political career as a journey – one which took him from the politics of division to a place where he accepted agreement as a solution, the need for power-sharing and respect for diversity – but history will also ask if he should have reached this point sooner."

Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt said: "There will be plenty of time to reflect on Ian Paisley's impact on the shaping of the modern Northern Ireland and its relations with our nearest neighbours, but today is a time to give the Paisley household space to mourn. My sympathies to Baroness Paisley and the family."

The Alliance leader David Ford said Northern Ireland politics will not be the same: "He was one of the biggest names in Northern Ireland and British politics."

"He was a larger-than-life character whose presence was felt in any room he was in. Although many of us opposed his actions for many years, he played a key role in getting the Northern Ireland Assembly back on track in 2007 and I commended him for his work and effort in achieving this."

SDLP leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell said he was a man of great contradictions. “History will undoubtedly judge him for his role in the Troubles and the pain caused by his rhetoric.

“We must however acknowledge that, despite his opposition to the Good Friday Agreement, in later years he committed himself to making powersharing work.”