John Hume loved music and singing.

Former peace talks chairman George Mitchell and Derry singer-songwriter Phil Coulter yesterday told BBC Radio Ulster of the Nobel laureate’s renditions of The Town I Loved So Well.

Derry born musician Frank Gallagher will co-ordinate the music for today’s funeral mass at St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry.

He said he never knew who he would be performing for when he was “called into battle, fiddle in hand” by Mr Hume.

“John would be entertaining, it could be a Kennedy, it could be a table full of congressmen, it could be a European business delegation,” he said.

“He was very aware of the symbolic weight of music in his delivery and he would use it as a powerful tool.”

Image source, Pacemaker

Mr Gallagher said Covid restrictions would affect today’s mass.

“This is not a day for choirs or orchestras and that size of celebrations, that will happen at a later time,” he told Good Morning Ulster.

Mark Devenport
BBC News NI Political Editor

It is my understanding that plans are at an advanced stage to set up a John and Pat Hume Foundation.

Originally it was due to be launched in May, but due to the coronavirus lockdown that didn’t happen.

This is a model more familiar in the USA where you get former presidents with foundations and libraries, it is less common in Ireland and the UK.

The idea is to protect John Hume’s legacy and to work for reconciliation and those committed to peaceful change within Ireland and also around the world because of his internationalist approach.

Image source, Pacemaker

The name will be the John and Pat Hume Foundation to symbolise what was a unique personal partnership but also a political partnership because anyone who knew them knew that Pat played a big role in the judgement calls that John made during those difficult years in the peace process.

A reminder that the funeral of John Hume will be broadcast live on the BBC News NI website from 11:15 BST today.

There will also be a special live Talkback programme on Radio Ulster from the same time.

Image source, Pacemaker

Many mourners are "frustrated" that they cannot attend John Hume's funeral due to Covid-10 guidelines, but there is a "tremendous sense of pride" in his home city today, the current SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said.

The Hume family has asked people not to line the streets because of the pandemic and numbers attending the funeral Mass at St Eugene's Cathedral are restricted.

"I think this probably would have been one of the biggest funerals Ireland's ever seen," Mr Eastwood told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"It's very difficult during this pandemic to give John the send-off that I think everybody would have wanted to give him," he added.

"People are frustrated that they can't play their full part, but they are also very proud in thinking and remembering all that John did for Derry and for Ireland and I think they are recommitting themselves to finishing that job.

"That, I think, is a great comfort to the family. They have been very much buoyed up by yes, of course, all of the international tributes but almost more importantly by the ordinary people of this city who have expressed their solidarity with the Hume family."

Niall McCracken
BBC News NI

In April 1993, it was made public that Gerry Adams and John Hume had been holding secret talks about ending violence in Northern Ireland.

The SDLP leader faced criticism for the dialogue with the Sinn Féin leader.

In the midst of a media frenzy, Mr Hume sought refuge in an unlikely setting.

Former Mayor of San Jose, California, Tom McEnerny recalls: "I met John through a close friend because I had connections with Silicon Valley and John was always interested in economic development so we became friends and would frequently visit each other.

"In the Spring of 1993, San Jose became a safe haven for John. You could see he was under a great deal of pressure because of the Hume-Adams talks becoming public.

"I could see that in him and I remember him saying: 'It's a difficult situation and I don't know how it will end'."

Ciaran McCauley
BBC News NI

Image source, Pacemaker

John Hume packed more into his 83 years on earth than most people would in three lifetimes.

Teacher. Politician. Civil rights leader. Peacemaker.

He served in government buildings of Belfast, London and Brussels, and was a frequent visitor to the US as an advocate for the peace process and his home town of Derry.

But while his life was largely lived in the political spotlight, some of his achievements are less well-known.

On the day one of Northern Ireland most notable political figures is laid to rest, BBC News NI takes a look at the lesser-known Hume.

Read more here

Tributes have continued to pour in from presidents and prime ministers for John Hume - one of the key architects of the Northern Ireland peace process.

On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among those to light a candle in his memory.

He tweeted that a candle had been lit in Downing Street, saying it was a "symbol" of the peace that Mr Hume "was so instrumental in securing".

Image source, Pacemaker

Image source, Pacemaker

The funeral Mass for John Hume, 83, will take place in St Eugene's Cathedral in Londonderry later this morning.

His body was returned to his native Derry on Tuesday night.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner and prominent Northern Ireland politician died on Monday following a long period of illness.

People have been urged to respect the Covid-19 guidelines and light a candle at home rather than lining the streets for Mr Hume, who helped create the climate that brought an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

About 120 people - mostly close family and friends - are expected to attend the funeral service, which is due to start at 11:30 BST.

It will be streamed here on the BBC News NI website, while BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme will have live special coverage from 11:15.