Kathleen Watkins, Writer and broadcaster, passes away at 90
Kathleen Watkins, the writer, musician and broadcaster, passed away at the age of 90 today in Dublin. She was surrounded by her family during her last moments.
Kathleen Watkins had turned 90 the previous month. She had passed away five years after her husband’s death. The anniversary of her husband, Gay Byrne, was on 4 November.
Her family posted about her death
Her family posted about the news of her death,
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Kathleen Watkins”.
The message further mentioned that she died peacefully earlier today with her family who was there to take care of her. The family thanked the Blackrock Clinic team who took good care of her too.
The family confirmed that they were devastated at the loss of a loving mother, devoted Nana and a great grandmother to the children. The children’s names were mentioned as Cian, Harry, Kate, Sadhbh and Saoirse.
Kathleen Watkins’ life
Kathleen Watkins was born in Dublin to parents, Tom and Dinah, father and mother respectively.
From an early age, she had a natural flair for singing and had a lovely voice. She was acclaimed as a fine harpist and folk singer before joining the news media company RTE as a broadcaster on television.
When Telefis Éireann debuted on New Year’s Eve in 1961, she was the first continuity announcer.
Miss Watkins met Gay Byrne in 1957 and decided to go on their first date in 1958. They later came to be known as “Ireland’s golden couple”. They both got married in 1964 in her local church in Saggart. Miss Watkins was greatly surprised to find crowds gathered outside the church to cheer for their wedding.
Her life after marriage
Gay Byrne has been the host of The Late Late Show since 1962 at that time. That era was just the beginning of their stellar career as her husband went on to do more shows on both television and radio.
Kathleen Watkins was, however, concerned about the shows and her husband’s work who had stopped her somehow.
In 1968, they moved to Howth in North Dublin where they took care of their two beautiful daughters. Crona and Suzy grew up in a home where showbiz was not the highlight of their lives.
Although, Miss Watkins did not stop with her shows on radio and television, her husband also kept presenting The Late Late Show and another show named The Gay Byrne Show on RTE Radio 1.
After Gay’s retirement, the family moved to Sandymount in Dublin. She kept her interest in presenting alongside storytelling. She came up with a children’s book series of a character she had developed while telling stories to her grandchildren. The character was that of a cute little piglet called ‘Pigin’ whose adventures mesmerised little children’s minds.
Miss Watkins did not know of her capabilities in getting a book published by herself. She discovered this while attending the 2013’s publication of her husband’s book, The Meaning of Life.
The launch took place in the National Library when one of her friends said to a woman from Gill Books that Kathleen could also bring about a great book to be published.
It was then that ‘Pigin’ was nominated as well as won an Irish Book Award for which Kathleen Watkins was extremely delighted.
Her life after Gay Byrne
After her husband passed away, at an interview at The Late Late Show, which was then hosted by Ryan Tubridy, Miss Watkins said that she still counts her blessings “all the time”.
She said,
“I’m feeling fine. I have my moments – I’ve had some moments in the last month. I’m doing well, but only with the help of family and friends. They’ve been absolutely wonderful. I count my blessings all the time”.
Kathleen Watkins reiterated the fact that people had been kind to her, after one year of her husband’s passing, and have always shown kindness to her. Her family, friends and the entire nation have proved to be a great support for her.
After her husband, she received several cards and letters from her fans and close ones. Some of the letters were even four to six pages long which were full of kind words, she disclosed. She said that she had kept them safe in a “great big trunk” as they were memories for her.
She explained that she was content that she was able to send her husband with the best possible goodbye as thousands of people couldn’t bid their loved ones a proper goodbye during the times of pandemic.
She revealed in a different interview that her husband had made plans for her funeral. They had even decided about the music and the prayers on her funeral day.
She mentioned Frank McNamara, who was the musical director of The Late Late Show, as he would know about the details of the music at her funeral. She said, “I will leave the instructions”.
Director General of RTE paid condolences to Watkins’ daughters
The Director General of RTE, Kevin Bakhurst, paid his “sincere sympathies” to both the daughters of Kathleen Watkins, and even to the extended family and friends.
The director cited that Kathleen was a part of Ireland’s greatest broadcasting history and her name would always be remembered when it comes to some of the first continuity announcers. The director reminisced about all of her great talents that she possessed; “an actor, a musician and an author”.
Simon Harris paid a tribute
Taoiseach Simon Harris was among the first ones to pay tribute to Ireland’s finest broadcasters. He described her as “a magnetic person with a warm and witty personality”. According to Mr Harris, she had a massive talent for attracting people’s attention with her artistic talent.
He further added that their couples had been known as Ireland’s golden couple who devoted their lives to their family and children first, and then to their careers. Her multi-talented personality had a charisma of her own that even reflected in her writings, ‘Pigin’ is the proof, he said.
Miss Watkins left behind her two daughters, two sons-in-law and her five grandchildren.
FAQs
1. Who was Kathleen Watkins?
Kathleen Watkins was a renowned Irish writer, musician, and broadcaster. She was the first female continuity announcer on RTÉ television, a talented harpist and folk singer, and a beloved author of the children’s book series about a piglet character named Pigin. Watkins was also known as part of “Ireland’s golden couple” with her husband, Gay Byrne, a prominent Irish broadcaster.
2. How old was Kathleen Watkins when she passed away?
Kathleen Watkins passed away at the age of 90. She had celebrated her 90th birthday the month before.
3. What is Kathleen Watkins known for in the broadcasting world?
Kathleen Watkins holds a significant place in Ireland’s broadcasting history as RTÉ’s first female continuity announcer. She was also a recognized radio and television personality and continued her media career alongside her husband’s long-running television presence.
4. What were Kathleen Watkins’ contributions to children’s literature?
Kathleen Watkins authored a popular children’s book series featuring a character named Pigin, a lovable piglet whose adventures captivated young readers. Her books were well-received and even earned an Irish Book Award nomination.
5. How long was Kathleen Watkins married to Gay Byrne?
Kathleen Watkins and Gay Byrne were married for 55 years. They met in the late 1950s and married in 1964, forming a highly regarded partnership both personally and in Ireland’s entertainment world.
