Tributes to film-maker and singer

Davy Hammond found success in different areas of the arts

Tributes have been paid to Davy Hammond, the film-maker, broadcaster and singer who has died aged 79.

He was known for his documentaries on subjects including Seamus Heaney and the Beirut hostage, Brian Keenan.

He was also a director of Field Day, the theatre company established in 1980 by Brian Friel and Stephen Rea.

As a musician, his collaborators ranged from Clancy Brothers and Donal Lunny to US folk figures such as Alan Lomax and Pete Seeger.

Seamus Heaney said he had lost a dear friend.

He said among his qualities were "energy, truthfulness, kindness, love of his own family, love of my own family, big nights, early mornings, jubilation, exultation, a general love of clans around him.

"There was no other side as far as he was concerned - everybody was on the same human side."

Composer Neil Martin, who worked with him for many years, said he was a "generous free-spirited man".

'Rare skill'

"He had a wonderful natural power of communication, be it through film, song or just talking to people," he said.

He sang as naturally as he breathed, he had stories and anecdotes galore, and he simply was a golden presence in the room when he was there Seamus Deane Playwright Obituary: David Hammond

"From the loftiest figure to ordinary people, he met everybody at the same level - it is a rare skill but Davy had it in spadefuls."

Novelist and playwright Seamus Deane, a fellow Field Day board member, said he was gifted at putting people at ease.

"I remember David for his smile, his singing, the general sense of well-being he brought into meetings and the wonderful sense of balance and ease he brought to our discussions and various efforts throughout the 12 or 13 years in our work in Field Day," he said.

"He had an idea of, to use the term of his friend Seamus Heaney, a 'republic of conscience', an idea of a freedom of spirit in speech that would be insulted by the kinds of sectarian boundaries which distinguished Northern Ireland, particularly at that time.

"He was wonderful company - he sang as naturally as he breathed, he had stories and anecdotes galore, and he simply was a golden presence in the room when he was there."

Songwriter Tommy Sands said: "He was a great example for the rest of us - singers, artists, writers and listeners - there was something about Davy Hammond that was very special."

Pat Loughrey, the BBC's Director of Nations and Regions, described Davy Hammond as "a man of poetry, song, of film and of a thousand stories".

"He crossed every boundary with style and distinction. He taught us to be civilised at the darkest times. We'll not see his like again."

Davy Hammond continued to work and perform until illness prevented him.

He is survived by his wife Eileen, his son Conor and daughters Catherine, Fiona and Mary Anne.

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Tributes have been paid to the film-maker and singer