Broadcaster and wife of Gay Byrne Kathleen Watkins has passed away

The highly successful broadcaster, writer and musician Kathleen Watkins has passed away at the age of 90.

Kathleen was the wife of the late Gay Byrne, one of Ireland's most legendary presenters. 

She sadly died on Thursday morning, 7 November, five years after her husband.

In a statement from her family, they said: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Kathleen Watkins.

"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 devasted by the loss of their much-loved mother, and devoted Nana Kit, to her grandchildren Cian, Sadhbh, Kate, Saoirse and Harry."

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Kathleen was born in Saggart, Dublin and moved to Howth with Gay and their two daughters Crona and Suzy in 1968.

The Dublin woman enjoyed a successful career as a musician, broadcaster and writer. While her husband Gay was serving his tenure as the longest-running host of The Late Late Show, Kathleen was working in radio and television. 

Kathleen joined RTÉ as a continuity announcer on television, and was the first continuity announcer to appear on-screen on the opening night of Telefís Éireann on New Year's Eve 1961.

In later years, Kathleen and Gay moved to Sandymount after Gay's retirement. During this time, Kathleen wrote a series of children's books which centred around the adventures of piglet Pigín - a character she created during story time with her grandchildren.

The beloved series book series Pigín was nominated and won an Irish Book Award.