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LAST UPDATE | 5 Nov 2019
RTÉ IS SET to air live coverage of the funeral of broadcaster Gay Byrne on Friday, following a special edition of The Late Late Show that was broadcast tonight.
Byrne presented The Late Late Show for almost four decades between 1962 and the 1999 and a special edition of the famous talk show this evening featured two Irish presidents and some of the foremost figures in Irish cultural life.
President Michael D Higgins was the opening guest of the show with his predecessor Mary McAleese also a guest of host Ryan Tubridy.
U2 frontman Bono spoke on the programme from Auckland in New Zealand while in studio many spoke about their memories of Byrne.
Among them were: Bob Geldof, Pat Kenny, Joe Duffy, Mike Murphy, Andrea Corr, Vincent Browne, Mary Black, Pat Shortt, Jon Kenny and Tommy Tiernan.
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The show also featured a star-studded performance of Tabhair dom do Lámh by some of Ireland’s greatest living musicians including Sharon Shannon, John Sheahan and Finbar Furey.
Speaking about Byrne’s presence in Irish life as society underwent some dramatic changes, President Higgins said that Byrne knew change was happening.
“Gay, I think, was aware of what was happening. And he took a great deal of what the people were thinking,” President Higgins said.
And I think what made just unique was that he had an instinct for the decencies of people that weren’t suppressed, but may be repressed. And therefore, if you gave it time, he was able to wait for the click in the interview. You could sail into trouble very nicely. But also, as well as that is that he was quite a careful about that.
“I remember in the much later when I was on the Late Late with people like Dr. Paddy Leahy and myself. We were on a certain side of a certain argument in many, many cases. And you weren’t short of opposition at the time. But he was very fair. And I think that was very impressive.”
The TV and radio legend died yesterday at the age of 85 with a subsequent outpouring of affection being typified by queues to sign books of condolence today.
Byrne’s funeral will take place in the St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Church, Dublin on Friday at noon.
The funeral mass will be broadcast live on RTÉ One from 11.30 am with historian John Bowman and presenter Mary Kennedy set to provide commentary of the ceremony.
RTÉ will also stream the funeral on the RTÉ Player, which will be available worldwide.
Byrne is survived by his wife Kathleen, his daughters Suzy and Crona and his five grandchildren
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R.I..P. Jill.
Rest In Peace Jill. Tragic, devastating news. My thoughts are with Tom, Jill’s family and friends. X
She lived on the other side of the world and until only recently I never heard of her or knew her face. Yet still, I feel like some I know was murdered. I hope her husband and those close to her find peace.
Please watch the negative comments, I think the man said. That said, I’m not saying your feelings or wrong, or that I wouldn’t share them. But it’s the family that deserve our thoughts, not the accused.
RIP Jill
RIP Jill. I was watching the Mitzi Turbo Cup episode of Hardy Bucks the other night and she’s in parts of it on the stage and in the car. She looked like someone who was the life and soul of any party.Condolences to her family and friends at this terrible time.
how many of us have walked home because its only a few minutes? awful thing to happen to anybody
And a lot of people here say there is no justification for the death penelty? I feel so sorry for that girl. The last moments of her life must have been terrible.
Huge police presence in CBD and fringes tonight. Everyone from work offering lifts home and suggesting the safest route to walk to work. Girls herding to one side of bus. Friends and family from home checking in via txt. V eerie feeling here in Melbourne. Poor Jill, what a tragedy. RIP.
Poor girl, heart really goes out to her and those she left behind , could be anyone of us missing a friend or sister.
Rip Jill, this is not the way anyone should go
This tragedy has touched so many of the Irish diaspora across the world. In a bitter sweet twist it has brought so many of us closer together. I didnt know Jill, but like so many others it has affected me deeply as I live away. My thoughts are with her husband, family and friends. Rest in Peace.
A life gone to soon RIP Jill……….
Who are the faceless idiots responsible for red arrows on here when people send their condolences to the family? Absolutely horrendous. RIP to this beautiful girl and all thoughts with her devastated family.
R.I.P Jill
Rest in peace Jill!
R.I.P Jill what terrible sad news and what a waste of a Beautiful young woman thoughts and prayers are with her husband tom and her family and friends
RIP Jill. Thoughts are with your family and friends.
R.i..p
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