Irish music legend Johnny McEvoy has passed away at the age of 81.

The Offaly native was born in Banagher, began singing at four and turned professional when he was 18.

Johnny’s manager, Darren Farrell, confirmed that he died peacefully in his Wicklow home on Sunday.

The singer’s children, Jonathan and Alice, shared a joint statement after their father’s passing.

They said: ‘Dad’s music meant so much to so many people, but to us, he was just Dad. We’re so grateful for all the love shown to him over the years.

‘Johnny’s funeral will be private, attended by his family, close friends and some of those he worked alongside over the years.

‘The family thank everyone for the many kind messages they have received and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.’

Johnny initially rose to fame in 1966 when his song Muirsheen Durkin reached number one in Ireland.

He then followed that up with The Boston Burglar and Nora, among other popular hits.

Other songs he was known for writing over his six-decade career included Long Before Your Time, Michael and The Planter’s Daughter.

Johnny’s friend, Mick Foster of Foster and Allen, paid tribute to the ‘legend’ on RTE Radio 1’s The Oliver Callan Show.

He praised the singer for being one of the first entertainers to speak openly about mental health in the 1990s.

Mick said: ‘I’d say it definitely helped a load of people, because a load of people have this and they don’t talk about it and a lot of them wouldn’t know what was wrong with them.

‘But when you have someone of Johnny’s standing in the community, for want of a better way of putting it, and he talks about it, well then, it obviously has to give them a lift.

‘When you’re on the go for as you say for 60 years, and you’re a household name, people have to have a load of memories of him.’