Kathleen Watkins (17 October 1934 – 7 November 2024) was an Irish broadcaster, harpist, actress, singer and author. She was married to Gay Byrne from 1964 until his death in 2019.[1]
In her early career, Watkins worked as a folk singer and harpist. She was the first continuity presenter to appear on RTÉ television when it was launched in 1961.[2] She played Grace Gifford in the 1966 docudrama Insurrection. She hosted the Rose of Tralee in 1977, the only woman to do so[3] until Kathryn Thomas began co-hosting in 2023. Watkins published three children's books and two poetry collections.[4]
Watkins died in Dublin on 7 November 2024, at the age of 90.[5]