Charity campaigner and former RTÉ journalist Charlie Bird has been remembered as an inspiration, a national treasure and "brave beyond words" at a service in Dublin to celebrate his life.
The father of two died on Monday aged 74 after a long battle with motor neurone disease, which he was diagnosed with in October 2021.
Mr Bird's wife Claire Mould said what made her fall in love with 'Bird' was his zest for life.
She said there was never a dull moment with him, and he loved being the centre of attention.
They travelled the world always looking for adventures, she said, adding they had had so many.
She said he loved being at home in Wicklow walking the hills with her and their dog Tiger, drinking pints of Guinness and eating roast chickens every single Sunday for 17 years.
"I love you Bird, and I’m going to miss you so much," she said.
Mr Bird's wife told the service that she was told to speak from the heart but "when you're heartbroken it’s a very difficult task".
She paid tribute to Mr Bird's daughters, saying they all had been through so much and she thanked them for their love and support.
She would not have been able to get through the past week without them, she said.
"We’re all very familiar with the public 'Bird', but maybe not the home 'Bird'," she added.
Mr Bird's friend and former RTÉ colleague Joe O'Brien led the service and described Mr Bird as a household name, who was loved and respected throughout the country.
"And in his last three years he moved, as Charlie himself said, from being a well-known journalist to being hailed as a heroic and tireless fundraiser and campaigner," he said.
"Over recent days, there has been an outpouring of grief for Charlie but, of course, it is his family who are feeling his loss most.
"Our hearts go out this afternoon to his beautiful wife Claire, who has been at Charlie's side, especially every day of his three-year battle with motor neurone disease. We think also of Charlie's loyal companion Tiger.
"Our hearts also go out to Charlie's loving daughters, Orla and Neasa, who are devoted to their father and to Charlie's grandchildren."
'He was great fun'
Orla spoke of her childhood in Bray where "our dad never tired of pointing out to us that we lead a charmed existence".
However intertwined with this family life was an extraordinary career, she said, and the news was a permanent fixture.
"But today we think of the family memories - the Sunday walks we were marched on, being taught to drive by our dad and family holidays in France where our dad struggled to put up the tent," she said.
"He was such great fun."
She said it was the norm for her father to take a phone call, gather his things and run out the front door.
When he appeared on the news, we knew where he had gone, she added.
She said his family was always a safe place for her dad.
"For a man who loved to fly, he always needed a safe place to rest and that is what we were," Orla added.
'A life well lived'
Neasa said her dad wore his heart on his sleeve and MND was his worst fear realised.
He was devastated and afraid, she said, but dealing with it publicly was his way.
In doing so, he gave solace to countless others and that is no small thing, she added.
Neasa said that he painstakingly typed out a message about courage on his penultimate day.
"He was afraid his courage would falter, but it did not," she said.
He showed us that it is OK to be afraid, Neasa said, but there are still good days to be had when memories can be created.
She said her dad left a legacy of hope, courage, purpose and determination.
"We saw that first-hand," she said.
"Dad loved and was beloved and that is the measure of a life well lived."
'Boundless energy and a nose for news'
Mr O'Brien said Mr Bird was eager to do things differently and was intelligent, kind and generous as well as cheeky, witty, honest and forthright.
"When I think of Charlie, I think of his boundless energy and his nose for news," Mr O'Brien said.
"He was a smart dresser, a hard worker and eager to do things differently."
He said they joined RTÉ News together in 1980 and Mr Bird's career "quickly took off" as he established his own dynamic style of reporting.
He was also brave beyond words, Mr O'Brien told those gathered.
He said he would treasure memories of shared coffees and strolls around Montrose and said his friend would want people to have a joyful celebration of his extraordinary life.
The journalist's five grandchildren presented mementos reflective of his life, including the rosary beads he was given by singer Daniel O'Donnell, which will be buried with him on Inis Oírr on the Aran Islands, and the staff he used on his climb of Croagh Patrick almost two years ago.
A Bruce Springsteen book, a hand-painted postcard by Joe Duffy, two biographies of Mr Bird's life and a family photograph with his grandchildren were also presented.
Following remarks from his wife Claire, a video montage of clips and photos of Mr Bird was shown.
It was accompanied by Bruce Springsteen's Land of Hope and Dreams, which was Mr Bird’s favourite song and which the singer dedicated to him at a concert in Dublin last year.
Claire was joined on the stage by their beloved dog Tiger.
Ahead of the service, the wicker coffin carrying Mr Bird's remains was carried into the Round Room, followed by his family and beloved dog.
The Clew Bay Pipe Band played as the coffin was carried inside.
Matt Molloy, Liam O'Connor, Sean Potts and Kevin Conneff played music throughout the service.
'You have given us the best of memories'
RTÉ Series Editor TV News Dympna Moroney said it was hard to imagine a world without Mr Bird.
"I always felt safe when he was around, but you fought as long as you could and you helped so many of us along the way, so rest now Charlie, you have left this world but you have given us the best of memories and you'll never leave our hearts," she told the service.
She said Mr Bird was always happiest at home and with his great love Claire and when they welcomed Tiger into their lives, that happiness was complete.
Time with them, his daughters and grandchildren was what mattered most of all.
Even as his illness took hold, he kept checking that everybody else was OK.
Former RTÉ chief news editor Ray Burke said of the many job titles Mr Bird had, his most appropriate position was special reporter, as he was a special reporter in every way.
He said he could not have had a better or more productive work colleague, or a better, more thoughtful, more faithful or more generous friend.
'What mattered was the story and getting it right'
Former RTÉ radio presenter Seán O'Rourke described Charlie as a great journalist but more so, a great human being and a real warrior.
He thanked Mr Bird's daughters for sharing their dad with the nation in their younger days.
And he thanked Mr Bird’s wife Claire for being "strong, valiant, powerful, brave, steadfast and so, so loving".
He said it would be wrong to see Mr Bird as a campaigning journalist because above all he was a reporter, a special reporter - what mattered was the story and getting it right.
Mr O'Rourke said when he thinks of Mr Bird he thinks of what his integrity and dedication achieved for Ireland.
He said it was an honour and privilege to work with him and to be his friend, saying he was "the real deal".
Stardust fire campaigner Antoinette Keegan and some of the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy also turned out to pay tribute to Mr Bird.
He was a long-time supporter of the families of those who died in the blaze in 1981, having covered the story as one of his earliest assignments. Ms Keegan survived the blaze but her two sisters died.
Ms Keegan described Mr Bird as the "backbone" of the Stardust campaign.
She described how over the years in their campaign searching for truth and justice, they had so many letdowns by governments and officials.
"Each time we thought we were going to get justice we were left with a huge disappointment.
"Charlie was always so supportive, stood tall for injustice and would say simple words: 'Never give up, keep fighting and one day you will get the answers you waited so long for'.
"Charlie’s words were strong and very effective in our campaign. It took us 43 years to finally get to where we are now with the new inquest.
Ms Keegan said she would "cherish the memories of sad and happy times I spent with him forever in my heart".
The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lt General Seán Clancy, said he and Charlie became close in the lead-up to the Climb with Charlie charity event.
"In that period, I came to know Charlie, what he stood for, his values, his resilience, his fortitude, his determination and his overwhelming loyalty to his family.
"It was in this timeframe that Charlie chose to support certain charities by selflessly dedicating the remaining years of his life, utilizing those extraordinary journalistic skills he had, but more importantly his ability to build friendships."
He said the impact of the Climb with Charlie event will "transcend time" as that day was "simply special".
"Extending the hand of friendship was Charlie's mantra. Fundamentally, friendship is about trust, he was a trusted journalist, family man, partner and a trusted champion of great causes - it's no wonder he had so many friends," Lt Gen Clancy said.
President Michael D Higgins was represented by his aide-de-camp Colonel Stephen Howard. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was represented by his aide-de-camp Commandant Myles Kelleher.
Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson and former EU commissioner Ray McSharry were among those gathered, along with former colleagues of Mr Bird, including Eileen Dunne, Miriam O'Callaghan, David McCullagh and Joe Little.
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst was joined by other senior executives from the broadcaster, where Mr Bird worked for 40 years.
The new Chair of the RTÉ Board Terence O'Rourke also attended.
Following the service, there was a short opportunity for members of the public to sympathise with his family at the Mansion House.
The special service to celebrate the life of Mr Bird concluded with a rendition of The Parting Glass.
After being carried from the Mansion House, his casket was driven away to applause.
Mr Bird will be buried at a later date on Inis Oirr in the Aran Islands.
Books of condolence are also available for people to sign.
Read more:
Obituary: Charlie Bird reported on biggest stories during 40-year career
Additional reporting PA
