RTÉ colleagues and friends have paid tribute to broadcasting great Gay Byrne on the first anniversary of his death.
On November 4, 2019, the nation was left heartbroken following the passing of the iconic TV and radio presenter at the age of 85.
Current Late Late Show presenter Ryan Tubridy acknowledges that Byrne was his "mentor" and said he "continues to be sorely, sorely missed".
"It's hard to believe it’s a year since we said goodbye to our friend, our colleague, and my mentor," Tubridy told the Irish Sun.
"I think there's a strange sense of reflection about it all, having talked to (Byrne’s wife) Kathleen on The Late Late Show recently, particularly in how Gay wasn’t around to see the pandemic.
"I think that, as much as the newshound in him, the cultural aficionado would have been curious about it, I think it was kinder that he didn’t see all of this madness, and that we were all able to gather in the Pro-Cathedral that day to say goodbye together.
"There was something poetic about that, given what we are all going through now," he added.
"His picture still hangs above us on the studio floor, we think about him, we pass him by every single day, and he continues to be sorely, sorely missed."
Tubridy continued: "This is, and will forever be, the time of year we think about Kathleen and Crona and Suzy and his beautiful grandchildren, and of course, the man himself."
RTÉ Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan shared a photo with Byrne on social media and said he is "thinking of the great broadcaster, idol and friend" on his first anniversary.
Thinking of the great broadcaster, idol and friend Gay on his first anniversary today. Miss those catch ups over coffee. pic.twitter.com/sMYym5CBdZ
— Marty Whelan (@martylyricfm) November 4, 2020
RTÉ Radio 1's Joe Duffy posted a touching tribute to Byrne on Twitter, with the caption: "GAY BYRNE SUNRISE 5/8/1934 SUNSET 4/11/2019. R.I.P."
GAY BYRNE SUNRISE 5/8/1934 SUNSET 4/11/2019. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/Msp5Wz4mbv
— JOE DUFFY (@joeliveline) November 4, 2020
The official RTÉ Late Late Show Twitter account remembered their "dear friend" on the first anniversary of his death, and sent "love to Kathleen and family".
Today we're thinking of our dear friend, Gay Byrne, on the first anniversary of his death.
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 4, 2020
Sending our love to Kathleen and family.#LateLate pic.twitter.com/5rKsnonWpY
Dustin the Turkey said Byrne was the "greatest (human) broadcaster ever to grace our screens".
"Gone a year ago today….greatest (human) broadcaster ever to grace our screens," Dustin posted.
"Don't worry Gay ya haven’t missed much craic down here, hope it’s good up there, and if ya have a chance have a word with the gaffer and ask him to help us land a great Den on Sunday;)."
Gone a year ago today....greatest (human) broadcaster ever to grace our screens.
— Dustin The Turkey (@DustinOfficial) November 4, 2020
Don't worry Gay ya haven’t missed much craic down here, hope it’s good up there, and if ya have a chance have a word with the gaffer and ask him to help us land a great Den on Sunday;) #GayboRIP pic.twitter.com/XycUoSbwsz
The RTÉ One account also remembered Byrne saying they are "thinking of our dear friend".
Thinking of our dear friend, Gay Byrne, on the first anniversary of his death.
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) November 4, 2020
Sending our love to Kathleen and family.#LateLate pic.twitter.com/POBQYPgob3
Gay Byrne had a profound effect on the cultural and social development of Ireland in the course of his long tenure as Ireland's most successful broadcaster.
Click here to take a look at some of the key moments in his life and successful career.
