Tributes are pouring in this afternoon after the announcement of the death of beloved Irish broadcaster Gay Byrne.
Gay is survived by his wife Kathleen, their daughters Crona and Suzy, and their families.
The journalist and host passed away aged 85 due to illness.
There’s not many people in this world who are worthy of the word awesome; for me, #Gaybo was. His versatility and fearlessness was quite something to behold. He influenced and changed our society in a way that may never be seen again. RIP #GayByrne
— Muireann O’Connell (@MuireannO_C) November 4, 2019
Leading figures in media have paid their tributes to the late, great star,
“If we’re sharing memories, when I was a kid Gay Byrne used to do a huge general knowledge quiz on the radio show every year,” tweeted radio host Rick O’Shea.
“100 questions and you wrote in with the answers (I know!) I decamped as a teenager to the Central Library every year to research them all.”
#OnThisDay 20yrs ago 1998 after 26yrs #GayByrne presented his last Gay Byrne Show on @RTERadio1 It was his traditional Xmas Eve Grafton St. Broadcast now presented annually, as it will be again today, by @joeliveline #JoeDuffy Happy Xmas #Gaybo Kathleen & Family pic.twitter.com/gmlKQ9niah
— Gavin Duffy (@GavinDuffy) December 24, 2018
“Gay Byrne has sadly away at the age of 85. We’re paying tribute to Gay Byrne today on RTE Radio One,” tweeted Ray D’Arcy.
“We have so many memories of Gay, especially his last interview with us in May 2018.”
RIP Gay Byrne, 85.
Ireland’s greatest broadcaster.
A master of his craft & a charming, brilliant, hugely influential (in a good way) man.
Very sad news. pic.twitter.com/1rKWRQyNMw— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 4, 2019
President Michael D Higgins led the tributes, explaining that Gay “exuded warmth and presence”.
“Through his work in radio and on television he challenged Irish society, and shone a light not only on the bright but also the dark sides of Irish life,” said the president.
“In doing so, he became one of the most familiar and distinctive voices of our times, helping shape our conscience, our self-image, and our idea of who we might be.
So saddened to hear of the passing of Gay Byrne -a broadcasting legend who did so much to lift our spirits,shape our society for the better and bring warmth into so many homes over the years. Sympathies to Kathleen,Suzy and Crona.May he rest in peace.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 4, 2019
“Beyond compassion, which he had in abundance, he had a sense of what was just”.
RTÉ Director-General Dee Forbes described the veteran broadcaster as “an exceptional broadcaster whose unique and ground-breaking style contributed so much to the development of radio and television in this country”.
Ms Forbes said RTÉ is “greatly saddened” by the death of Mr Byrne “who has been a household name in this country for so many years.”
“End of an era” is a cliche but with the passing of Gay Byrne it is unavoidable. He was a huge figure in Irish life for 4 decades. He didn’t just reflect change, he helped it along.
— Fintan O’Toole (@fotoole) November 4, 2019
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar wrote: “Gay Byrne was the most influential broadcaster in the history of the State, a much-loved figure who changed Ireland for the better in so many ways.”
“I knew him when he was Chairman of @RSAIreland and saw the effectiveness of his campaign against the needless tragedy of road deaths.”
Can’t believe Gay Byrne has passed away. Such sad news. Thoughts and prayers are with the family.
— Dayl Cronin (@CroninDayl) November 4, 2019
Gay Byrne was just great.
A rare greatness that made other people shine brighter in his presence, that turned people into the best of themselves, that made them grow in the light of his warmth. “Enjoy every minute” he said. What a motto, what a man. #gaybyrne #rip pic.twitter.com/ER9vyy04ld— Stefanie Preissner (@StefPreissner) November 4, 2019
RIP Gay Byrne.
One of the greatest presenters not just on Irish Television but across the board. He was never afraid to be controversial.
He will be missed. #RIP pic.twitter.com/qSXCKiiX3J— Joe O’Neill (@actingjoe) November 4, 2019
RIP to the inspiration behind my media career. The best Irish broadcaster around Gay Byrne #RIPGayByrne #irishbroadcasting #radiotalent pic.twitter.com/CBzZ97gUEO
— Rebecca Lee (@Rebeccaleemedia) November 4, 2019
Gay Byrne was a brilliantly relaxed broadcaster known for his Late Late Show, one of the world’s longest running chat shows
And who could forget a young group called Boyzone’s legendary appearance @ronanofficial #Boyzone #LateLateShow … pic.twitter.com/fvuy26JGoL
— Francis Keogh (@HonestFrank) November 4, 2019
Gay Byrne wasn’t a tv personality or an interviewer or a celebrity. He wasn’t even a talk show host. He was a force for change when no one else was willing/able to speak up. He was a game changer and the gold standard. There will never be anyone quite like him again. #RIPGayByrne
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) November 4, 2019
RIP to the wonderful Gay Byrne. We will never see a broadcaster of his calibre again in this country. On top of that, he was a lovely, kind, impeccably-mannered man, who was great interviewer and interviewee. So sorry for Kathleen, Suzy, Crona and his family and friends #ripgaybo pic.twitter.com/ZZwSsnZlSg
— Andrea Smith (@AndreaMarySmith) November 4, 2019
I’m truly so sad to hear Gay Byrne has passed away. I watched and listened to him as a child and young adult and he was a huge influence on my life choices. The man was a genius and true legend. My sincere condolences to his wife, family and friends. RIP #RollItThereColette pic.twitter.com/NFvRql2ejs
— The Niall Boylan Show (@Niall_Boylan) November 4, 2019
Your voice changed Irish broadcasting and Irish society forever. Rest in peace Gay Byrne. pic.twitter.com/fbroKCFGQB
— Colm Flynn (@ColmFlynn1) November 4, 2019
