Former RTE broadcaster Kathleen Watkins, widow of the late Gay Byrne, has died aged 90.
Ms Watkins passed peacefully yesterday surrounded by her loving family in the care of Blackrock Clinic.
She was one of the first presentation announcers when Telefís Éireann went on air on New Year’s Eve 1961.
Her creative talents extended across music, broadcasting and writing. She was an acclaimed harpist and folk singer prior to her radio and television career.
Kathleen and Gay met in 1957 and married in Saggart Parish Church on 25 June 1964. At the time, Gay had been presenting The Late Late Show – now the world’s second longest-running late-night talk show – for two years.
The couple had a great fondness for Donegal and considered Dungloe to be their ‘second home’.
For more than 40 years, Gay and Kathleen enjoyed their Donegal holiday home as a ” haven of rest and tranquility from a busy life” as once-described by Gay.
The couple proudly launched Donegal’s tourism brochure in 2015 and spoke of the warm welcome that Donegal people give to every visitor.
2015: Donegal County Council Chief Executive and Chairman of Donegal Tourism Mr. Seamus Neely with Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins at Glenveagh Castle.
Last year, Kathleen was back in west Donegal to officially unveil a new walkway in memory of her late husband Gay, who passed away in 2019 aged 85.
Their daughters, Suzy and Crona and their children, were also present at Gweebarra Bridge for the unveiling of The Gay Byrne Trail.
Kathleen commented that it was a joy to have Gay honoured in this way, remembering happy times of their walks in Dungloe.
Kathleen Watkins in Donegal in July 2023. Photo courtesy of Mary Rogers.
In a statement her family shared their great sadness and said: “Kathleen’s family are devastated by the loss of their much loved mother and devoted ‘Nanakit’ to her grandchildren Cian, Sadhbh, Kate, Saoirse and Harry.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
