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Gay Byrne.
TO mark the passing of the late Gay Byrne, Books of Condolence are being opened at Kerry County Council offices in Tralee (County Buildings) and Killarney (Town Hall) from 9am on Tuesday and will be available to members of the public during office hours.
The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Niall Kelleher this evening paid tribute to the late broadcaster: “I wish to add my condolences to the family and friends of the late Gay Byrne. A friend of Kerry, not least through his role as host of the Rose of Tralee Festival for many years, Gay Byrne had many friends and connections in the county. He was a colossus of broadcasting and made a hugely positive impact of many people’s lives. May he rest in peace,’ he said.
Meanwhile the Rose of Tralee Festival has paid tribute to the late broadcaster who presented the live selection night shows at the Dome for many years.
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A statement of the Rose of Tralee Facebook page reads: “Gay’s loyalty to and friendship towards The Rose of Tralee Festival was truly exceptional and said so much about his generosity as a person and his commitment as a professional broadcaster. The people of Kerry will never forget his kindness and his support.
Gay compered the show from 1974-1994, with the help of his loving wife Kathleen, who stood in for him in 1977 when he was unwell, and continued as a judge from 1996 through to 2001. He was a guest of honour at our 50th celebration in 2009.
Everybody associated with our Festival will miss him greatly. On behalf of the Festival and the generations of people involved and Roses participating from around the world during his tenure, we send our deepest sympathy to his wife Kathleen, and to his children Crona and Suzy. Ar dheis Dé go rabid a anam.”
