Tributes were paid last night to music promoter Derek Nally, who died of a heart attack at his home in Drogheda, Co Louth, on Thursday.

Mr Nally was the first promoter to bring music to Punchestown Racecourse, which is now home to the Oxegen music festival.

The 59-year-old, who was originally from Meath, is survived by his wife Dairin and their three children. His funeral will take place at St Mary's Church, Drogheda, at 11am on Monday.

The promoter was also behind many Irish music acts, including Juliet Turner.

Musician BP Fallon said his passing was a great loss. "Some of the best shows I have been to have been Derek's gigs," he said.

Mr Nally had also worked as a booking agent for Dublin music venues like Whelan's and The Village and had also promoted his own shows around the country. He was also a key figure in the success of Kells rock band Ham Sandwich.

"It is the end of an era, it really is," said Steve Berube, who worked with Mr Nally as a publicist for Whelan's.

"He was a link with the showband era right up to the present. Things won't be the same without him."