The opening of the Cork Guinness Jazz Festival was marked with sadness yesterday due to the absence of jazz vocalist Honor Heffernan.
Ms Heffernan, who has been singing and acting since 1971, withdrew from this year's festival following the death of her mother and sister on Wednesday night.
Mrs Bridget Heffernan (76) and her daughter Ms Fiona Heffernan (39) died at their home in Stoneybatter in Dublin.
It is believed they died from carbon monoxide poisoning following a fault in the central heating system in the house but this has yet to be confirmed by post-mortem tests.
A minute's silence was observed at the opening of the festival as a mark of respect.
"This tragedy is a big blow to the festival and we feel deeply for Honor. She's part of the festival and has been for many years, and she has a large fan club in Cork," artistic director Mr Jack McGouran said yesterday.
"There is a sombre mood among musicians, but she'll be here in spirit," Mr McGouran added.
The singer, who starred in RTÉ's Fair City and Jim Sheridan's film Angel, had been due to perform last night with the Jim Doherty Trio at the Triskel Arts Centre with their show I'm Old-Fashioned.
The show went on last night in her absence, with a number of tributes paid and sympathies extended to the performer.
Over 40,000 visitors are due to descend upon Cork for the bank holiday weekend.
The four-day festival is expected to pump over €20m into the Cork economy, with ticket sales well above those of last year.
In total 14 major stages, 120 bands and more than 1,000 musicians from 26 countries will be in session over the weekend, with free performances in more than 70 pubs and clubs throughout the city.
Among the artists performing are Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, who is credited by many with creating Afrobeat; Irish traditional musician Sharon Shannon; and Scottish band The Waterboys, who will play the Opera House tonight.
Also playing are South African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the Jan Garbarek Quartet and American trio The Bad Plus.