Tributes have been paid to the late writer and broadcaster Kathleen Watkins, who died earlier today aged 90.
Ms Watkins who celebrated her 90th birthday last month (October 17), died five years after her husband, legendary RTÉ broadcaster Gay Byrne, who passed away on 4 November 2019. The couple married in 1964, having dated since 1958.
Kathleen Watkins died surrounded by her family, who confirmed this news in a statement.
"It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Kathleen Watkins", the statement said. "Kathleen died peacefully earlier today, surrounded by her loving family in the wonderful care of the team at the Blackrock Clinic".
"Kathleen's family is devastated by the loss of their much-loved mother, and devoted Nana Kit, to her grandchildren Cian, Sadhbh, Kate, Saoirse and Harry".
Kathleen Watkins was a young musician, who found fame as a harpist and folk singer, before joining RTÉ as a TV continuity announcer.
While her husband presented the Late Late Show, Kathleen Watkins also kept up her own radio and TV work. She also went on to garner huge success with her series of children's books, which told the stories of 'Pigín', a little piglet character she created during story-time with her grandchildren.
The book was nominated and also won an Irish Book Award for Watkins.
After news of her death was announced, tributes were paid to Kathleen Watkins, including from President Michael D Higgins, and RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst.
President Higgins said, "Kathleen Watkins was part of Ireland's unique broadcasting history, and indeed of RTÉ. She was among our first continuity announcers. She was an actor, a musician, and an author. And of course, she was a presenter.
RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst said that he was informed of Ms Watkins' death "with great sorrow", and that he and his wife Sabrina "were among the many who had the greatest regard and affection for her".
In a statement, Kevin Bakhurst shared his "sincere sympathies" to Ms Watkins' daughters and extended family, along with friends and former colleagues.
"Kathleen Watkins was part of Ireland's unique broadcasting history, and indeed of RTÉ. She was among our first continuity announcers. She was an actor, a musician, and an author. And of course, she was a presenter", he said.
"She will be fondly remembered by a generation as the presenter of the long-running Faces & Places, and of stand-alone programmes like Calor Housewives Cookery. Kathleen and Gay became the first couple of Irish broadcasting and in recent months and years, Kathleen remained a loyal, kind friend and supporter of colleagues at RTÉ".
