Kathleen Watkins (17 October 1934 – 7 November 2024) was an Irish broadcaster, harpist, actress, singer and author. She was married to Gay Byrne from 1964 until his death in 2019.[1]
Kathleen Watkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 October 1934 |
| Died | 7 November 2024 (aged 90) Dublin, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | Dominican College Sion Hill |
| Occupation(s) | Broadcaster, harpist, singer, author |
| Years active | 1961–2024 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
In her early career, Watkins worked as a folk singer and harpist. She was the first continuity presenter to appear on RTÉ television when it was launched in 1961.[2] She played Grace Gifford in the 1966 docudrama Insurrection. She hosted the Rose of Tralee in 1977, the only woman to do so[3] until Kathryn Thomas began co-hosting in 2023. Watkins published three children's books and two poetry collections.[4]
Watkins died in Dublin on 7 November 2024, at the age of 90.[5]
References
edit- ^ Egan, Barry (10 October 2016). "'Myself and Gay are hanging in there - a drop of Guinness helps' - Kathleen Watkins". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
- ^ https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/11/07/kathleen-watkins-broadcaster-and-author-has-died-aged-90/
- ^ Flynn, Fiona (21 August 2019). "13 Things You Probably Didn't Know about the Rose of Tralee". Entertainment.ie.
- ^ https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/11/07/kathleen-watkins-broadcaster-and-author-has-died-aged-90/
- ^ O'Rourke, Evelyn (7 November 2024). "Writer and broadcaster Kathleen Watkins has died aged 90". RTÉ News. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
External links
edit- Kathleen Watkins at IMDb
- Kathleen Watkins discography at Discogs
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