There will be widespread regret over the death of the gifted Irish singer-songwriter Bap Kennedy at the age of 54, six months after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Mr Kennedy originally came to prominence with the Belfast band Energy Orchard and went on to win international respect through his collaborations with such distinguished figures as Van Morrison, Steve Earle, Shane MacGowan and Mark Knopfler.
However, he never forgot his roots and some of his most memorable work reflected his experiences as he grew up in the west of his native city during the Troubles and beyond.
His blog, in which he set out how he coped with the consequences of his illness, also gained a considerable following and his passing is a huge loss to his family, friends and the world of music.
