Kathleen Watkins - author, musician, and wife of Gay Byrne - dies aged 90

Kathleen Watkins - author, musician, and wife of Gay Byrne - has died at the age of 90.

Kathleen, who celebrated her 90th birthday on 17 October, died five years after the passing of her husband Gay, whose anniversary was on 4 November. Born in Saggart, Dublin, to parents Tom and Dinah, Ms Watkins was a natural performer from a young age.

She gained recognition as a harpist and folk singer before joining RTÉ as a continuity announcer. She made history as the first continuity announcer to appear on screen on the opening night of Telefís Éireann on New Year's Eve 1961, reports Dublin Live.

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Kathleen’s daughters, Crona and Suzy, and their families, released a statement on Thursday, which read: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Kathleen Watkins. Kathleen died peacefully earlier today (Thursday, 7th November 2024) surrounded by her loving family in the wonderful care of the team at the Blackrock Clinic.

“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.”

Kathleen first met Gay Byrne in 1957, and they had their first date in 1958. Often referred to as 'Ireland's golden couple', they tied the knot in her local church in Saggart in 1964.

When Gay was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, she dedicated much of her time to caring for him. After his death in November 2019, she confessed in an interview with the Irish Independent that life without Gay is "very difficult sometimes really, really difficult", but she tries to "count my blessings".

She reflected: "I have be grateful for the long life I've had - and for the life I've had. Gay himself often said, 'We've had a charmed life.' The priest said that on the day of his funeral."

Kathleen is survived by her two daughters, Crona and Suzy, sons-in-law Phil and Ronan, and her five grandchildren.

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