US Ambassador Dan Rooney paid tribute to the late Senator Edward Kennedy today as people queued to sign a book of condolence in Dublin.
After greeting Taoiseach Brian Cowen, who signed the book on behalf of the people of Ireland, Mr Rooney said he would remember the late Mr Kennedy first as a friend who had done so much for him over the years.
He was also the leading legislator and senator of our time and would be missed for his ability to get things done. He could be tough, but always had a good heart.
"He really was for the downtrodden people who needed assistance, he did things right," Mr Rooney said.
Senator Kennedy died yesterday morning after a 15-month struggle with brain cancer.
Mr Cowen, who did not speak to the press, wrote in the book of condolence in both English and Irish. His message conveyed deepest sympathy to the American people on behalf of the Irish people on the loss of Mr Kennedy.
"We have lost a loyal and dear friend who will be remembered with great affection by all of us whose privilege it was to work with him," the message said.
Mr Cowen is to leave tonight for Boston to attend Mr Kennedy's funeral at Arlington Cemetery, outside Washington DC on Saturday.
A statement from the Department of the Taoiseach said the senator's death marked the end of a political era. "However, while his political legacy, nationally and internationally, is extraordinary, lives on through his unique contribution to peace on the island of Ireland," it continued. "At the Kennedy Library in Boston tomorrow night, we will mourn Ted's passing, but we will also celebrate the life of a great American and a great Irishman who will always be held in the deepest affection and regard both here and in the United States."
The North's First Minister Martin McGuinness is also to attend Senator Kennedy’s funeral, as will SDLP leader Mark Durkan and the party’s former leader John Hume.
Dignitaries from other embassies around the city also arrived to sign the book, including Brazilian ambassador Pedro Fernando Bretas Bastos.
Fianna Fáil TD Sean Haughey also attended. He said Mr Kennedy had been a great friend or Ireland and of the Haughey family. The senator had visited his father, former taoiseach the late Charles Haughey many times.
"The two families were very close," he said. "He was larger than life, full of fun and full of charisma... he worked hard and he played hard."
The book of condolences will be open to the public today and tomorrow at the US embassy in Ballsbridge.
Mr Kennedy will be buried at Arlington next to his brothers John F Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. Their sister Eunice died earlier this month, leaving Jean Kennedy Smith, a former ambassador to Ireland, as the sole survivor of the nine children of Joe and Rose Kennedy.
Mr Kennedy’s body will leave the family compound at Hyannis Port today to lie in repose at the John F Kennedy Presidential Museum outside Boston. The museum will be open to the public tomorrow before a private memorial service.
