TK Whitaker has been remembered as a joyful man and a patriot.

The funeral mass of the 100-year-old former civil servant took place at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook in Dublin on Friday morning.

Hundreds of people were in attendance at the mass.

President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina arriving for the funeral of Dr Ken Whitaker in Dublin | Image: Rollingnews.ie

President Michael D Higgins, former President Mary McAleese, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Finance Minister Michael Noonan were among those in attendance.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald arriving for the funeral | Image: Rollingnews.ie

Whitaker is credited with playing a pivotal role in the economic development of Ireland.

He served as head of the Department of Finance in the early 1960s, and later served as Governor of the Central Bank.

Former President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin | Image: Rollingnews.ie

He was also also appointed by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Taoisigh as a member of Seanad Éireann.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin arriving for the service | Image: Rollingnews.ie

Celebrant priest Fr Lomán MacAodha, a family friend of Mr Whitaker, said he was a positive man in tough times.

“Ken had the art of growing old – it was an art form, and I think he perfected it.

“He had, what I would have seen in him so constantly, a joie de vivre: a way of being joyful, despite everything.

“His life as he had it unfolded for him was truly a filfiled life, fulfilling him in all sorts of ways right to the end.

“And when he was asked how would he like himself to be described, I think he pithily put it together by saying: ‘a civil servant who did his best’”.

Earlier this week, President Higgins led tributes to the economist, saying: "I had the privilege and also the great pleasure to know Dr Whitaker. His great energy and intellectual rigour was matched by an irresistible personal charm.

"He was as inspiring as he was impressive, and as fine an Irishman as there has been".