The show's producer Chris Clough said: "Birdy was a much loved and well-respected member of the Ballykissangel cast and we'll all miss him terribly."

Robert Cooper, head of drama for BBC Northern Ireland, said: "Birdy was a man whose deadpan humour on screen belied the open warmth he constantly radiated off screen. It was a delight just knowing Birdy and an honour to work with him."

Sweeney began acting when he was in his fifties, spending much of his earlier life as a comic and bird impersonator. He was first given his nickname when he made his debut mimicking blackbirds as an 11-year-old on BBC Radio Ulster.

In his acting career Sweeney appeared in The Crying Game, which won an Oscar for director Neil Jordan's screenplay, and the TV adaptation of Roddy Doyle's novel The Snapper. He was also in a US movie version of Moll Flanders and recently the films The Butcher Boy and Divorcing Jack,alongside actor David Thewlis.

Recently Sweeney had been working on a new series of Give My Head Peace for BBC Northern Ireland which was due to be broadcast in a few weeks.

He is survived by his wife Alice and eight children.