President holds memorial service following death of 90-year-old Kathleen Watkins

Ireland’s president has paid tribute to broadcaster, writer and musician Kathleen Watkins following her death at the age of 90.

Watkins was the first continuity presenter to appear on Telefis Eireann (later renamed RTE) when the station was founded in 1961.

He married Gay Byrne, the long-serving presenter of RTE’s flagship entertainment program The Late Late Show. Byrne died in November 2019.

Born in Saggart, outside Dublin, the broadcaster was also a talented harpist and folk singer, and in later life won critical acclaim for a series of children’s books about the adventures of the piglet Pigin.

Chairman Michael D Higgins offered his “deepest condolences” to Ms Watkins’ family.

Mr Higgins said his talents were demonstrated through his work as an artist, broadcaster and writer “appreciated by people of all ages”.

In a statement, he said: “Sabina and I learned with great sadness of the death of Kathleen Watkins, and we were among those who respected and loved her the most.

“I know this is shared by all of Kathleen’s colleagues at RTE in particular. Sabina and I offer our condolences to Kathleen, as well as to many others in Ireland’s cultural life to whom she made an unforgettable contribution.”

Mr Higgins added: “Kathleen was the beloved life partner of the Gay Byrne we now remember, remembering the joy of their unique partnership. We also remember the warmth of Kathleen’s personality, her sense of humor and her kindness; she was in many ways the best of her generation at a time of such development in our country.” He represented the good ones.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he learned of her death with “great sadness”.

“Kathleen was an impressive person with a warm and humorous personality and presence, as well as her considerable artistic talent,” he said.

“She and her husband Gay Byrne were one of Ireland’s most famous couples, and their devotion to each other and their family was always clear throughout their long and loving marriage.

“While Gay Byrne is perhaps the most famous face RTE has ever produced, Kathleen will always be one of the first faces to appear on screen on RTE’s opening night.”

Mr Harris said Pigin’s books had a special place in his home library and described him as “very talented”.

“On behalf of his daughters Crona and Suzy, his grandchildren and the wider family, friends and colleagues, I am sorry for your loss,” he said.

In a statement to RTE, his family said they were “devastated” by his death.

They said he died peacefully surrounded by his family at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin on Thursday.

RTE chief executive Kevin Bakhurst said: “Kathleen Watkins was part of Ireland’s unique broadcasting history and indeed part of RTE.

“He was among our first continuity announcers. He was an actor, musician and writer. And of course he was a presenter.

Mr Bakhurst said Watkins would be fondly remembered as the presenter of RTE’s long-running Faces and Places programme.

“Kathleen and Gay became Irish broadcasting’s first couple and in recent months and years Kathleen has remained a loyal, kind friend and supporter of her colleagues at RTE,” he added.