Mayo native Eamonn Walsh to play at funeral of Kathleen Watkins

RENOWNED uilleann piper and Ballina native Eamonn Walsh is to play at the funeral of the late Kathleen Watkins, who will be laid to rest today (Tuesday).

Mr Walsh, who played at the funeral of her husband and legendary broadcaster Gay Byrne, will perform when Ms Watkins’ remains arrive at the church in Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook and at her graveside.

Mr Walsh has performed for various visiting dignitaries over the years and is due to perform at the ceremony to mark Ireland’s formal recognition of the state of Palestine. Though he has resided in Tallaght, Co Dublin, for most of his life, Mr Walsh has remained an active member of the Moy Valley Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann branch and is currently their PRO.

An accomplished writer, musician and broadcaster, Ms Watkins married Gay Byrne in 1964. They became known as ‘Ireland’s golden couple’ and were married until his passing in 2019.

In 2010, Ms Watkins travelled to Mayo to attend Ballinrobe Musical Society’s world amateur of the highly-acclaimed ‘Pirate Queen’, a musical based on the story of Granuaile.

She passed away last week in the care of Blackrock Clinic at the age of 90. Her Requiem Mass takes place at 12pm today (Tuesday, November 12) at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook, followed by a private burial. May she rest in peace.