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Irish broadcaster Kathleen Watkins dies aged 90

Sportsfile/Getty A man and a woman look, smiling, at the camera. The man is wearing a jacket, a white shirt, a tie, a hat, and sunglasses. The woman is wearing a jacket, a scarf, and a hat. The weather looks sunny and, in the distance, there is a tree.Sportsfile/Getty
With husband Gay Byrne at Punchestown Racecourse in 2015

Kathleen Watkins, the Irish broadcaster, author and musician, has died at the age of 90.

Watkins, who was the wife of the late broadcaster Gay Byrne, died surrounded by her family.

Watkins was the first continuity announcer to appear on screen on Telefís Éireann.

The Taoiseach (Irish PM) Simon Harris described her as a "magnetic person" who was "multi-talented".

In a statement, Harris praised Watkins' "warm and witty personality and presence, as well as her considerable artistic talent.

"Whilst Gay Byrne is perhaps the most famous face RTÉ has ever produced, Kathleen will always be one of the first faces to appear on screen on RTÉ’s opening night.

"She was multi-talented in her own right, and indeed like many households around the country, her books and Pigín have a special place on the bookcase in my home," he added.

Independent News and Media/Getty Images From left, musician Kathleen Watkins, her daughter Susie, and husband broadcaster Gay Byrne arrive at Dublin Airport, Dublin, Ireland, August 30, 1987. Byrne was leaving on a flight to Australia. (Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection) (Photo by Independent News and Media/Getty Images)Independent News and Media/Getty Images
Kathleen Watkins, her daughter Suzy, and husband broadcaster Gay Byrne arrive at Dublin Airport in 1987

Born in Saggart, County Dublin, Watkins enjoyed an early career as a harpist and folk singer.

She went on to join RTÉ as a continuity announcer on television, becoming the first continuity announcer to appear on screen on the channel on New Year's Eve 1961.

Ms Watkins had two children, Crona and Suzy, and penned the popular series of children's books Pigín.

Pigín won an Irish Book Award in 2016.

In her later years, Watkins devoted much of her time to caring for Gay Byrne, who died in Novermber 2019.

She is survived by her two daughters, Crona and Suzy, sons in law Phil and Ronan and her five grandchildren.