Last night, a special episode of The Late Late Show was aired to mark the passing of veteran broadcaster and former host Gay Byrne, and what unfolded was a public wake with more laughter, stories, emotion and gravitas than could have been planned.
Pulling in everyone from President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and Vincent Browne, to former guests, RTÉ journalists past and present and even a phonecall from Bono all the way from New Zealand, the nation watched as Gay's career, which spanned six decades, was celebrated.
"Nobody listened better than Gay Byrne".#LateLate pic.twitter.com/YkMrd0cpbQ
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 5, 2019
There was Pat Kenny's story of trying to kidnap Gay, Mike Murphy's laughs, Tommy Tiernan's perfect summation of Ireland as a tribe that loves to come together and the necessary sing-song at the end. The archival footage spanned what seemed like the high and low points of modern Irish history, and reminded viewers of how instrumental the broadcaster was in moving the country forward.
The opening to The Late Late Show Gay Byrne Tribute. #LateLate pic.twitter.com/sF7ukfLOOo
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 5, 2019
For many, it felt like a typical Irish wake, with all the jibes, stories, teasing and fond memories that come when you lose someone who gave so much.
Here are the best tweets from the show:
Who we are
This #LateLate was so wonderfully Irish. It was supposed to end at 11.05, but it's been funny, sentimental and emotional, and we still were on the step of the front door 40 minutes later, saying goodbye but not meaning it at all.
— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) November 5, 2019
That’s who we are. #LateLateShow #ThePartingGlass
Comfort
Some nights you just love being IRISH and the way we celebrate death. Story telling, poking fun at the person who has passed singing their favourite songs and acting like one big family and taking comfort from each other #latelate #RIPGaybo
— claire ronan (@Claire_Ronan) November 5, 2019
A typical Irish wake
I'm loving this #latelate. It’s a typical IRISH wake. Stories, reminiscences and even slagging the deceased. Well done @RTELateLateShow
— Barbara Scully (@barbarascully) November 5, 2019
Modern history
Oh my God! Brian Keenan now. It's like our modern history in two hours. #LateLate This is extraordinary.
— Aisling 🇮🇪🇪🇺 (@Aisling_Pash) November 5, 2019
What day is it?
Watching the Late Late on a Tuesday night #LateLate pic.twitter.com/nhSjdmUfU4
— Ronan O'Leary (@olayree) November 5, 2019
Gowan Nell
Nell McCafferty single-handedly reminded us of what the old Late Late was. Beautifully unpredictable #LateLate
— Malachy Murray (@sirmalacymurray) November 5, 2019
Cornered by MDH
This is so lovely. It's like we’ve been cornered by MDH at the wake, the whole country is standing in the kitchen and shuffling our feet as stories are shared. #latelate
— Ciara Reilly (@PrimEdTeacher) November 5, 2019
Giant sausage
Thanks to #GayByrne my parents had the opportunity to get their first passport and leave Ireland for the first time. They were guests in the #LateLate audience and my mother guessed the weight of a giant sausage. The prize? A trip to Italia 1990 to see Ireland v England!
— Dr Elaine Byrne (@ElaineByrne) November 5, 2019
Backwards, forwards
This show, and Gay Byrne's legacy, demonstrates what a wonderful, strange, backwards, forwards, special country we live in. How far we have come, how far we have to go#latelate #LateLateShow
— Colette Sexton (@colette_sexton) November 5, 2019
Are you even Irish?
If you aren't watching the #LateLate right now are you even Irish #GayByrne #Gaybo
— Hannah Murphy 🎙 (@Hanelizaa) November 5, 2019
That voice over
This Theme Song
— Regina Looby (@reglooby) November 5, 2019
This VT
That Voice over
The Memories
My Childhood #RIPGay #latelate #Gaybo #GayByrne pic.twitter.com/ePd222fHbg
Laughter
Mike Murphy looks unbelievably well for 78. If you needed proof that laughter keeps you young, you're looking at it. It’s hard to remember ever seeing him not smiling. #LateLate #LateLateShow
— Philip Nolan (@philipnolan1) November 5, 2019
Hup Tommy
Tommy Tiernan proving again that there's so much more depth, mystery and poetry about him than he's given credit for #LateLate
— Oliver Callan (@olivercallan) November 5, 2019
End of an era
I remember Gay presenting the #LateLate, but most vivid memories are of spending time with family, especially my grandparents, watching him on a Friday night. Something so nostalgic about it; might be why I find this so sad - reminds me of a simpler time - true end of an era
— Eoin Keane (@EoinKeane101) November 5, 2019
The Parting Glass
The finale performance on our Gay Byrne Tribute, 'The Parting Glass'. #LateLate pic.twitter.com/VdK0Bk4Z7x
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) November 5, 2019
