It has been six years since The Late Late Show legend passed away at the age of 85, with his daughter Suzy opening up about the finals days on his life, surrounded by family
Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins(Image: Collins)
Gay Byrne’s daughter Suzy has opened up about the final days of her father’s life.
The Late Late Show legend passed away at the age of 85 surrounded by his family.
Gay had been in the Maher Hospital, however, towards the end of his life he wanted to return to their home in Howth.
“He was very agitated,” his daughter shared. “He said to me: ‘Get me out of here. Take me home. Please take me home.’”
An ambulance was arranged in late October 2019 and he was set up near their kitchen, so that he could be immersed in the comings and goings of the household.
“There was this whole relaxed situation. He could see the lighthouse. Howth, as everybody knows was his heaven.
“He loved it. The Palliative Care from St Francis Hospital – the nurse Mary was a saint,” Suzy told the Sunday Independent.
“She said Dad was happy and peaceful. Luckily enough the kids were on midterm break because it was Halloween time. We were just coming and going with him as normal, and the kids playing in there with him and chatting away to him all the time. It was a very special week.”
Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins(Image: Collins)
Gay and Kathleen’s other daughter Crona was on a family holiday in Florida during his final days and was trying to get a flight home.
The late RTE star was visited by many of his friends, including Joe Duffy, Mike Murphy, John McColgan and Moya Doherty. His sister Mary also stopped by to see him several times.
Suzy shared: “Then it got to the point where we felt, ‘No more people now.’ Everyone was getting upset. It was sad but it was nice.
“Crona came back from America on Saturday. On the Sunday night, my husband Ronan’s uncle William – who is a priest – came and said Last Rites prayers.
“At the end of it, Dad said, ‘That was lovely.’”
Gay passed away on Monday, 4 November, in the early hours of the day.
“I was just holding his hand and that breath went… it was about 9.15am. We wanted Joe Duffy to announce it because he was a great friend of Dad’s.
“He had been very good to him over the years when he had cancer. Joe was great for just dropping in bars of chocolate with a funny note.
“Joe had been to see him on the Friday and was almost expecting it. Mum phoned him. It was nice for Joe to say it.”
Gay never discussed death before passing, and had a certain way of thinking of it.
“Dad didn’t want to discuss it. As far as he was concerned, it will happen when it happens; and when it happens, it’s going to happen. So, deal with it,” Suzy said.