Remembering Kathleen Watkins: A Life Dominated by Family and Fun – RTÉ News

Kathleen Watkins, the widow of RTÉ broadcaster Gay Byrne, passed away on November 7, 2024, at the age of 90. Her funeral was held on November 12, 2024, with the procession leaving her former home in Howth at 11 a.m. and proceeding to the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, Dublin, for a requiem mass at noon. The funeral was attended by notable figures including former RTÉ broadcasters Mike Murphy, Olivia O’Leary, and John Bowman.

Kathleen Watkins was a musician and folk singer who enjoyed acclaim as a harpist. She and her husband Gay Byrne were known as “Ireland’s golden couple” after marrying in Saggart in 1964. The couple had two daughters, Crona and Suzy, and grandchildren Cian, Sadhbh, Kate, and Saoirse.

Kathleen’s love for her family and husband was evident in her interviews. She often spoke about the supportive and loving community they had built. Her memories of her late husband were vast and reminiscences were deeply cherished.

The funeral was a testament to her life, which was dominated by family and joy. Despite being in the public eye due to her husband’s career, Kathleen never minded the attention and often found it touching when people expressed their love for Gay during his illness.

Her legacy is one of warmth and kindness, as seen in the many who attended her funeral to pay their respects to a woman who brought so much joy and light into the lives of those around her[1][2][3].