As today marks the one year anniversary of Gay Byrne’s passing, Ryan Tubridy has shared an emotional tribute to the legendary presenter, explaining that Gay is missed each and every day, and that it’s a relief that Gay didn’t have to live through the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking to The Irish Sun, Ryan said, “It’s hard to believe it’s a year since we said goodbye to our friend, our colleague, and my mentor.
“I think there’s a strange sense of reflection about it all, having talked to Kathleen on The Late Late Show recently, particularly in how Gay wasn’t around to see the pandemic.”
He continued, “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.”
To pay tribute to Gay on the first anniversary, many Irish stars have taken to social media to share some kind words, including Marty Whelan, Joe Duffy and many more.
Radio presenter Joe Duffy wrote “GAY BYRNE SUNRISE 5/8/1934 SUNSET 4/11/2019. R.I.P.” while Marty Whelan shared a photo of himself and Gay, captioning the image, “Thinking of the great broadcaster, idol and friend Gay on his first anniversary today. Miss those catch ups over coffee.”