"His death is heartbreaking but I, like so many, am very thankful for his life."

Broadcasting legend Gay Byrne has sadly passed away after a long illness. In a statement, his family said: "It is with sadness that Kathleen, Crona and Suzy wish to announce that their beloved Gay has died peacefully at home today, surrounded by his family. "We wish to thank everybody for their love and support during Gay's illness. Particularly the wonderful teams in the Mater Hospital, St Francis Hospice and the Irish Cancer Society". Byrne's colleague and friend Joe Duffy led the tributes to a man that defined Irish broadcasting. “More so than any one individual, Gay Byrne represented modern Ireland and through his daily broadcasting on radio and television he propelled this country and its people forward. In no other country can one individual claim to have had such a positive impact on an entire nation over such a long period. Ireland is a better country thanks to Gay’s lengthy career behind the microphone at the centre of public discourse," said Duffy. Duffy added: "He brightened and enlightened the lives of so many people through his broadcasting, his charm, wit, voice, and wonderful command of the English language. His broadcasts were a public joy, a personal pleasure and comfort to so many. Like so many I feel his passing as a deeply personal loss. He was a generous mentor and good friend to me, as he was to so many.  "Above all, condolences to his wife Kathleen, his loving daughters Susie and Crona, his sons in law and his  much loved grandchildren, who have been such a support to him in his very difficult illness. He worked hard all his life. He searched for meaning, and gave meaning to so many. His death is heartbreaking but I, like so many, am very thankful for his life. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam." Fellow host of The Late Late Show Ryan Tubridy said: "It is with enormous and profound sadness that I heard of the passing of my friend and mentor, Gay Byrne. He was the master, a once off and the likes of which we will never see again. I watched him as a child, worked alongside him as a young man and he guided me as I grew older and I will forever be indebted to him. We in RTÉ have lost a friend, a family have lost a father and a husband and the country has lost an icon. May he rest in peace." President Higgins has said that Byrne was "a man of great charisma, Gay Byrne was someone who exuded warmth and presence, who was possessed of effortless wit, charm and who had a flair for broadcasting. This was combined with an innate gentleness as a person, professionalism and humour. "Through his work in radio and on television he challenged Irish society, and shone a light not only on the bright but also the dark sides of Irish life. In doing so, he became one of the most familiar and distinctive voices of our times, helping shape our conscience, our self-image, and our idea of who we might be. Beyond compassion, which he had in abundance, he had a sense of what was just. Sabina and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to his wife Kathleen, his daughters Suzy and Crona, his grandchildren, and all his friends and colleagues.”   https://twitter.com/PresidentIRL/status/1191371693547089921 Presenter and journalist, Elaine Crowley, told Her: "Gay Byrne was the most impactful broadcaster not only of his generation, but that Ireland has ever produced. His effect on Irish society will never be seen again by anyone in the field. The Late Late Show challenged Ireland, made us think, rocked the conservative boat and inspired many. His work was what television should be, but sadly will never be again. May he rest in peace". https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/1191366326834651136