A proud native of Castleblayney in Monaghan, Tom McBride was a chart regular throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s with songs like ‘Gentle Mother’, ‘Old Log Cabin For Sale’, ‘Broken Marriage Vows’, ‘I Still Love You’ and ‘Old Love Letters’.

Accompanied by his band the Mainliners, he played thousands of gigs on both sides of the Atlantic with a trip to Nashville in 1980 to record the Blue Wings album among his numerous career highlights.

Here’s some of the response to his passing:

Very sad to hear of death of Big Tom. A giant of Irish country music for over 50 years, filling dance halls everywhere. Our sympathies and condolences to his family, friends and fans.

— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) April 17, 2018

#bigtom ... spotting Big Tom in the corner of a room in London one night the late Joe Dolan shouted “Four roads to Glenamaddy.” Big Tom replied “It’s you, it’s you, it’s you.” Anecdote told 3 weeks ago in Ennis by Bagatelle guitarist. pic.twitter.com/qQh3RBh8lr

— Eamonn Mallie (@EamonnMallie) April 17, 2018

Shocked and truly saddened to hear of the passing of Big Tom this morning. Ireland’s King of Country Music for so many years and his legacy will live on for many years to come. My sincere condolences go out to all of his family and friends at this terrible time. RIP ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tkgbO2laH0

— Lisa McHugh (@LisaMcHughx) April 17, 2018

So sad this morning hearing of the passing of my friend Big Tom. The gentle giant. Country music has lost a legend. RIP with your love Rose pic.twitter.com/sU5mv51fTr

— Mike Denver (@MikedenverMike) April 17, 2018

"Never heard of him," says some treacherous wench in the newsroom. The urban-rural divide is real ?Country singer Big Tom McBride has died aged 81 (via @thejournal_ie) https://t.co/aPVNIfxRw9

— Susan Daly (@BiddyEarly) April 17, 2018