Broadcaster Gay Byrne dies aged 85

The RTE broadcaster and former Late Late Show host had been undergoing treatment for cancer.

RTE Director-General, Dee Forbes, paid tribute to Mr Byrne.

"We are all greatly saddened by the passing of Gay Byrne who has been a household name in this country for so many years,'' she said.

"Gay was an exceptional broadcaster whose unique and ground-breaking style contributed so much to the development of radio and television in this country.

"Gay's journalistic legacy is as colossal as the man himself - he not only defined generations, but he deftly arbitrated the growth and development of a nation.

"Ireland grew up under Gay Byrne, and we will never see his like again. My deepest sympathies to Kathleen and his family."

Irish President Michael D Higgins also offered his condolences to the Byrne family.

“It is with deep sadness I have learned of the death of legendary broadcaster, Gay Byrne.

"Having begun his career in broadcasting with Radio Éireann in 1958, he retained a love of radio as a medium.

"With the arrival of television he went on to become one of the most recognisable faces of Irish broadcasting, hosting one of the world’s longest running chat shows - The Late Late Show.

"A man of great charisma, Gay Byrne was someone who exuded warmth and presence, who was possessed of effortless wit, charm and who had a flair for broadcasting.

"This was combined with an innate gentleness as a person, professionalism and humour.

Through his work in radio and on television he challenged Irish society, and shone a light not only on the bright but also the dark sides of Irish life.

"In doing so, he became one of the most familiar and distinctive voices of our times, helping shape our conscience, our self-image, and our idea of who we might be. Beyond compassion, which he had in abundance, he had a sense of what was just.

"Sabina and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to his wife Kathleen, his daughters Suzy and Crona, his grandchildren, and all his friends and colleagues."