Northern Ireland's former deputy first minister died on Friday, aged 83
He was one of the key architects of the Good Friday Agreement
He was deputy leader of the SDLP from 1979 to 2001
Requiem Mass is being held in St James' Church, Mullaghbrack, County Armagh
Archbishop Eamon Martin is the chief celebrant of the Mass
Archbishop Eamon Martin describes Seamus Mallon as being "unequivocally anti-violence".
"His consistent condemnation of violence from whatever source often left him open to insult and unfair criticism鈥.
He says that until his dying day, Seamus Mallon 鈥渞emained a man of hope for a brighter and more peaceful tomorrow鈥.
Archbishop Eamon Martin, leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, welcomed mourners to the place Seamus Mallon "was proud to call his home".
鈥淪eamus was a 鈥減eople person鈥, through and through, and whether he was with presidents, prime ministers, party colleagues, or his own good neighbours and friends here in Markethill, he was the same Seamus.鈥
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Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny says "I have lost a big brother here."
"Seamus Mallon had immense courage, immense realism and was always the bearer of confidence, of hope and optimism. I think the island of Ireland has lost a real friend here"
大象传媒 News NI's Jayne McCormack says it is a testament to Mr Mallon's sense of community that he wanted his funeral to be in his small, local church in County Armagh.
The church has been a place of "profound importance" to Mr Mallon, according to Fr Woods.
鈥淚t was his personal wish that his funeral should be here in the church in which so many sacred moments in his life and that of his family were marked and celebrated, including his own baptism over 83 years ago, " the priest said.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is delivering the first reading of the Mass.
Frank Feely, a friend and SDLP stalwart, is doing the second reading.
First Minister Arlene Foster, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, NI Secretary Julian Smith and Tanaiste Simon Coveney sit together at the funeral.
Seamus Mallon was baptised in St James鈥 church in 1937 - today his life is being remembered there.
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In his welcome to the funeral Mass, Fr Michael Woods, parish priest of Tandragee, paid tribute to Mr Mallon.
Image source, Pacemaker"We are deeply conscious that for you, Orla, and the entire family this is an occasion of great personal sadness as you say farewell not so much to a man of high stature in public life on the island, but rather your own dear father, grand-father, father-in-law, brother, uncle"
The funeral service got under way at midday.
Image source, bbcArchbishop Eamon Martin, leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, is chief celebrant of the Mass. Mr Mallon's coffin was brought into the church to the hymn Nearer My God to Thee.
Among the dignitaries in the church are: Deputy Lieutenant of County Armagh representing the Queen, the Aide de Camp to President Higgins, the Taoiseach, the T谩naiste, the Secretary of State, the Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, the first minister and deputy first minister, MPs, US Consul General, ministers, speaker of the assembly, MLAs, TDs, Senators, councillors and many public representatives from the north and south of Ireland.
Image source, PacemakerSeamus Mallon's successor as SDLP deputy leader, Br铆d Rodgers, told 大象传媒 News NI outside the church that Mr Mallon was "a tower of strength in the most difficult of days".
"Seamus was never on any side, except the side of justice, peace and reconciliation and that is his legacy," she said.
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Dublin City University has paid tribute to Mr Mallon, describing him as "a courageous champion for peace & social justice in Northern Ireland".
Image source, Dublin City University"His tireless work was pivotal in securing an end to the violence of the Troubles and in establishing a lasting settlement on the island of Ireland," the university said.
The funeral is taking place at St James' Church, Mullaghbrack, in County Armagh, where Mr Mallon was baptised.
The chief celebrant of the Mass is Archbishop Eamon Martin, the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Click here for Seamus Mallon's life in pictures.
Mourners began arriving at the church at about 10:00 ahead of the midday funeral.
Image source, bbcPolice have said they expect traffic disruption around Mullaghbrack and Mr Mallon's home village of Markethill.
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the funeral of Seamus Mallon, a key figure in Northern Ireland's peace process.
Image source, pacemakerMr Mallon, a former deputy first minister and deputy leader of the SDLP, died on Friday aged 83. Read his obituary here.