Ryan Tubridy paid tribute to Christy Dignam in a special memorial video that was played as part of a public farewell for the Aslan frontman ahead of a private funeral.
The tribute video was played on a large screen that was erected outside Erin's Isle GAA Club in Finglas where thousands of fans, friends and admirers had gathered in the rain alongside Dignam's family on Saturday.
During the 20-minute video, which includes clips and performances from Dignam's career and a moment of silence, RTÉ broadcaster Ryan Tubridy paid tribute to the Aslan frontman, who he had interviewed many times, including Dignam's final interview at his home in April this year.
Tubridy said: "Every time Christy Dignam came through the door of a radio studio or a television studio you knew something special was going to happen.
"He had a range in his voice, a very, very naughty sense of humour, a great love of Ireland, a great love of family, a great love of Finglas, a great adoration of Dublin. He knew where he was, he knew who he was, and he knew why he was here.
"Can you imagine what a privilege it was for somebody like me to sit beside him, with Finbar Fury or Imelda May, or with Aslan, or with Kathryn or with Kiera, singing, doing what he does best, but also loving.
"And that's what he was, loving.
"And I think it's fair to say, having met him only a couple of months ago in his house, he knew that because the people from around this beautiful country said, ‘he's one of ours, we own him, we love him, we're going to miss him.’ And he knew that. He heard that, and that was a wind in his sails. As he headed off to the next place.
"Christy Dignam – idol, legend, beloved."
Dignam, who was 63, died on Tuesday following a long illness.
In a post on social media, his daughter Kiera confirmed her father's passing, and said; "On behalf of my family, it is with a broken heart that we convey the news of my father's passing, Christy Dignam.
"Dad peacefully left us where he wanted to, at home today 4pm Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, after a courageously long-fought battle, surrounded by his family."
Aslan said: "We are beyond devastated to have lost not only our band member, but our friend, Christy, that we have so many, many years of sharing our lives with."
Finbar Furey paid tribute to Dignam telling RTÉ Radio 1 that "the people loved him all over Ireland".
The Irish music legends memorably duetted on The Green Fields of France on the Late Late Show in January 2017 - a performance that people across Ireland and beyond have taken to their hearts.
"He loved this country so much," Furey told Tubridy on Wednesday morning. "Everybody's missing Christy this morning. Everybody loved him."
Furey described their Late Late performance as a "very special night".
Singer Imelda May also paid tribute describing the singer-songwriter as a "working-class hero" and a "true artist".
In a statement to RTÉ U2 frontman Bono described Dignam as one of the greatest voices he ever heard. He said: "A pure signal in a world of noise. One of the greatest voices I ever heard."
Main image courtesy of Declan Roche
