Funeral details for Kathleen Watkins, broadcaster and wife of Gay Byrne, announced following her death at 90

The couple married 60 years ago, in 1964, having met in 1957. They had two daughters, Crona and Suzy.

Ms Watkins was born in Saggart, Dublin, and was an acclaimed harpist and folk singer before joining RTÉ.

She was the first continuity announcer to appear on screen on the opening night of Ireland’s new television station, Telefís Éireann, on New Year’s Eve 1961.

The couple raised their family in Howth, north Dublin, and moved southside to Sandymount in their retirement.

Ms Watkins’ funeral service will depart from Howth at 11am on Tuesday, arriving for Requiem Mass at 12pm at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook, followed by a private burial.

Her funeral notice said she died “peacefully on in the wonderful care of the team at the Blackrock Clinic”.

“Beloved wife and best friend of the late Gay Byrne, loving mother to Crona and Suzy, adored Nana Kit to Cian, Sadhbh, Kate, Saoirse and Harry, mother-in-law to Philip and Ronan and sister of Clare, Phil and the late Jim….