An online book of condolence set up by UCD for victims of the Berkeley tragedy has had more than 19,000 entries.
The book, opened a week ago, includes messages from Ireland and around the world.
Three of the students who died in Berkeley – Eimear Walsh and Lorcán Miller, who were both third-year medical students, and Niccolai Schuster, a second-year history and politics student – were studying at UCD.
One post reads: “My heart is absolutely broken at this news. This does not affect me directly . . . but I share the grief of the young lives lost. Young lives that went over to experience a summer of a lifetime, and now tragically never get to finish this adventure.
“Life has been put into perspective for me today, and I am sure I’m not alone. Ireland is a country in mourning today. Thoughts go to the families and friends of these six adults. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Another reads: “So many young lives taken way too early. Thinking of all the families involved and a quick recovery to the other people in hospital.”
A candlelit vigil in memory of the students who died will take place in Galway between 9pm and 10pm tonight at Eyre Square to coincide with a similar vigil in Berkeley. One of the injured, Niall Murray, is a student at NUI Galway.