A particular service to have a good time Charlie’s life will likely be held on Thursday at midday within the Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin 2.
His dying discover, posted to RIP.ie at this time, stated he died peacefully yesterday within the fantastic care of Wicklow Hospice together with his household at his facet.
He will likely be sadly missed by his beloved spouse, Claire, loving daughters Orla and Neasa, little wingman Tiger, his sons-in-law Rob and Aidan, adored grandchildren Charlie, Hugo, Abigail, Harriet and Edward, his prolonged household, former colleagues and a large circle of buddies each at home and overseas.
“Remembering additionally Orla and Neasa’s late mom Mary,” it reads.
“No flowers please. Donations, if desired, to Wicklow Hospice.”
The former RTÉ information journalist was recognized with motor neurone illness (MND) in 2021 and had been an energetic campaigner for plenty of charities regardless of his in poor health well being, with the goal of “extending the hand of friendship to those in dark places”.
Born in Sandymount, Dublin, in 1949, Mr Bird was a fixture on Irish TV screens, turning into the broadcaster’s chief information correspondent.
During his profession he lined the 1981 Stardust fireplace through which 48 young individuals died.
Popular journalist Charlie Bird
He reported extensively on the Troubles in Northern Ireland and covered major news events ranging from the Haiti earthquake in 2010 to the September 11 attacks in 2001.
Bird worked as the national broadcaster’s Washington correspondent in the course of the first presidency of Barack Obama, earlier than retiring from RTÉ in 2012.
The Stardust catastrophe had a huge effect on Mr Bird and he was a lifelong campaigner for the survivors and households of the victims of the Valentine’s night time fireplace within the Artane nightclub.
He attended the forty third anniversary of the Stardust fireplace in Artane in February, paying tribute to the victims and their households who’ve “campaigned so hard to find the truth of what really happened.”
Charlie Bird with his wife Claire Mould and their dog Tiger. Photo: Owen Breslin
In 2022, Mr Bird, who lived in Ashford, Co Wicklow, with his wife Claire Mould, was the subject of an RTÉ documentary Charlie Bird: Loud and Clear and his book Time and Tide was named Biography of the Year at the An Post Book Awards.
Since his diagnosis with MND, Mr Bird kept followers updated on his fundraising efforts and his health on social media, frequently sharing videos of himself and his beloved dog Tiger.
He raised more than €3.6m for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and mental health charity Pieta House through his Croagh Patrick hike, Climb with Charlie.
Climb with Charlie hikes also took place in the US, South Africa, Australia and Spain.
In his final message on the X social media platform on February 29, the journalist continued to “extend the hand of friendship” to carers.
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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Charlie was a “hugely talented journalist and an inspirational person, who will be sadly missed”.
Mr Varadkar said the former journalist “had the trust and respect of the Irish people” as he offered his condolences to Charlie’s spouse Claire, daughters Orla and Neasa, and to all his many household and buddies.
“From the Asian tsunami and 9/11, to the peace course of and the banking disaster, individuals knew they may depend on Charlie for the story,” he stated.
“When Charlie instructed his personal story of motor neurone illness he grew to become an inspirational determine to so many individuals in the way in which that he handled the bodily and psychological well being impacts of his sickness.
“His can-do perspective, his dedication to serving to others by charity work and the open method through which he mentioned the affect of the illness on his life, and on his household, was exemplary.
“His spouse Claire performed a massively vital function in serving to him proceed to stay his life to the fullest extent doable, together with his finest good friend Tiger all the time by his facet.”
Paying tribute to Mr Bird, President Michael D Higgins described him as an “exceptionally talented broadcaster” and a “remarkable man”.
“It is with the deepest unhappiness that the entire Irish individuals, and significantly all of those that have been his allies in campaigning for thus many vital causes, could have learnt of the dying of Charlie Bird,” he stated in an announcement.
“An exceptionally proficient broadcaster, Charlie was a really outstanding man pushed by a deep sense of social justice in probably the most constructive sense.
Photo taken 1980s – Garret FitzGerald, former Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael, speaking to journalist and broadcaster Charlie Bird. Photo: Collins
“Charlie was indelibly associated with some of the biggest stories both at home and abroad during his four decades with RTÉ, I recall for example being with him in Iraq.
“As an intuitive journalist, Charlie identified with causes from below. His dedicated pursuit of the truth, and immense ability to build warm relationships that would last through life with all those with whom he came in contact, made him one of the outstanding journalists of his generation.
“The authenticity of these relationships is evidenced in the lifelong connections which he made with so many of those to whom he gave a voice. I think in particular of the decades-long support which he gave to the victims of the Stardust fire, and indeed the touching support which they have likewise given him.”
Mr Higgins said it is “hard to understate” the work of Mr Bird to “extend the hand of friendship” and his contribution since his MND diagnosis.
Charlie Bird with Ed Mulhall, then head of news at RTÉ, and Kevin Healy, then head of public affairs, after RTÉ won costs against Beverley Cooper-Flynn. Photo: Collins
“Even more than that, the dignity, strength, hope and inspiration with which Charlie carried the burden of his illness was remarkable. In a way that was truly extraordinary, Charlie redefined our collective perspective on the illness of motor neurone disease and terminal illness more generally.
“The authenticity, at considerable personal cost, which he brought to all of this could never have been achieved by any other means of communication. I believe that his experience touched every home in this country and will leave a lasting legacy that will not be forgotten.
“It was a great honour to welcome Charlie, his wife Claire, and their dog Tiger to Áras an Uachtaráin in June 2022 and to personally thank him for all that he has done.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Bird’s dying. He stated he “inspired so many with the courage, generosity of spirit and dignity he faced his battle with motor neurone disease”.
“As a journalist and broadcaster for RTÉ, Charlie had few friends,” the Fianna Fáil chief stated.
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Claire Byrne this morning paid tribute to Mr Bird, who she stated was “a familiar face” to many from his profession at RTÉ.
“He was also a husband, a father, a campaigner and a friend. Charlie was at the heart of some of the biggest stories of his time,” she stated.
Former RTÉ journalist Tommie Gorman described his good friend as having the “most pure form of love on what was really an impossibly difficult journey at times”.
Charlie Bird at the High Court where cross examination by Garreth Cooney continued in the 2001 libel action by Beverley Cooper Flynn
Speaking to Today with Claire Byrne, Mr Gorman said: “He turned his fear and he turned his pain and he turned the story into good. He was utterly relentless in trying to achieve as much as he could in that final phase of life.”
Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan said Mr Bird was like “part of our family” and described him as “our voice”.
“He was a very special friend,” she said, describing the sadness she felt upon his diagnosis.
“He has always been there for us. He never failed us.”
Ms Keegan said he was a close friend to her parents and all those who had campaigned for justice in the aftermath of the Stardust fire.
“He always regarded us as his heroes, we always regarded him as our hero,” she said.
Ben Dunne shakes hands with RTÉ’s Charlie Bird on his arrival at the Moriarty Tribunal in 1998
RTÉ Environment Correspondent George Lee said the death of Mr Bird came as a shock to him, recalling his recent conversation on radio with Brendan O’Connor as he spoke by the machine that made him sound “so young”.
He described Mr Bird as a “relentless” and dedicated journalist with a “disarming ordinariness” that individuals responded to.
“He used to go around saying, ‘I’m just a working journalist’ but I’m afraid I think Charlie Bird was a lot more than that.”
He stated: “Anything that was weak about Charlie he wore it on his sleeve. People saw that as being a very genuine authentic person.”
Daniel O’Donnell has additionally paid tribute to Mr Bird and his bravery, describing how he met him two years in the past however “like everyone” felt like he knew him his entire life.
“I just can’t believe that he is gone albeit we knew this day would come,” he stated.
The singer gave Mr Bird rosary beads when he met him on the Late Late Show, which he carried with him from then on.
Mr O’Donnell stated he was “so taken by Charlie’s bravery”.
“I wanted him to know that he had support. How do you support somebody in that situation? I just handed him what was important to me,” he instructed Today with Claire Byrne.
“I felt so grateful that I did what I did. I didn’t want to push religion on him, it was just something that was important to me that I could give to him hoping that he could get strength from it. I just never imagined that it would mean so much to him.”
Des O’Malley, Padráig Ó Méalóid and Charlie Bird in 1983. Photo: John Carlos
Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste is to open a Book of Condolences at the Mansion from today. There will also be an online book in due course.
“This is terribly sad news that we are all waking up to this morning, and I know the people of Dublin are thinking of Claire and his family,” Mr De Róiste said.
Samaritans chief executive Sarah O’Toole stated Mr Bird confirmed “incredible strength and courage” all through his sickness.
“He will likely be remembered eternally as a number one mild for charitable organisations throughout Ireland, together with Samaritans, for which his ardour was formidable,” she stated.
“Following the success of Climb with Charlie, Charlie decided to raise awareness for several other organisations including Samaritans.
“He often said he chose Samaritans as he found himself in a dark place following his diagnoses with MND and he wanted people to know that support is available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anyone who is struggling to cope.”
She stated Mr Bird was an incredible supporter of the charity’s work and he lately introduced plans to steer volunteers on a Hand of Friendship walk in Avondale Forest Park, Co Wicklow.
RTÉ’s Charlie Bird, George Lee and Ed Mulhall arriving for the libel action by Beverley Cooper-Flynn in 2001
Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association chief executive Lillian McGovern said the organisation is “deeply saddened” by the death of Mr Bird and the world has “lost a real hero”.
“I extend our heartfelt condolences to Charlie’s spouse Claire, youngsters Neasa and Orla, his grandchildren and naturally his beloved canine Tiger,” Ms McGovern stated.
“Charlie’s impact on the MND community in Ireland and even farther afield is immeasurable. His ability to extend the hand of friendship, as he so beautifully phrased it, and bring together thousands of people in every part of the country for Climb with Charlie was incredible.
“It resulted in millions being raised and marked the beginning of what was, and continued to be, an unwavering commitment to fight MND; to support people living with MND and their families; and to make a meaningful difference.”
She stated the organisation will “forever be grateful for the impact Charlie has made” not simply in his fundraising, but additionally in “getting people to sit up and take notice of what is truly a devastating disease”.
George Lee, Charlie Bird and Ed Mulhall arriving at the High Court
Close friend of Mr Bird Paul Allen has remembered him as “a beacon of light” who was inspiring in his career and in how he dealt with his illness.
“It is very hard to summarise the impact a pal has had on you and your life when you are faced with such news as Charlie Bird passing today,” said Mr Allen.
“Charlie Bird has been a beacon of light for so many people down the years. His ability to deal with world and domestic news has been inspiring. He has been even more inspiring in the manner he dealt with motor neurons disease.
“During his illness he reached out the hand of friendship to so many people in dark places during difficult times, offering support, comfort and understanding.
“This makes today, while difficult, a more memorable and bearable occasion. As we are weeks away from reflecting on another anniversary of Climb with Charlie, we think of him, Claire and family.
“We also think and give much love to his faithful dog Tiger who was by his side throughout.”
Kevin Bakhurst, the Director General of RTÉ, has said the organisation is “deeply saddened” by the news of Mr Bird’s dying.
“After 40 years working at RTÉ he has left a unique legacy. He was a leader in Irish journalism, dedicated, ferocious in his pursuit of the truth and trusted by the public,” Mr Bakhurst stated.
“He was a fearless reporter, breaking and covering so many key stories over many years including the Stardust fire, the National Irish Bank tax avoidance scandal, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Indian ocean tsunami.”
He stated Mr Bird was “deeply empathetic and a gifted communicator” who was all the time beneficiant together with his time and supportive to younger journalists.
“His campaigning work, especially since his illness diagnosis has gone on to help so many others, as was Charlie’s selfless way,” Mr Bakhurst stated.
“Our thoughts are with his wife and our colleague Claire, his children, grandchildren and many friends.”
The well-known journalist has been remembered as a tireless campaigner and talented broadcaster who covered some of the biggest stories in Irish and world history.
Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One, his former RTÉ colleague Sean O’Rourke described Mr Bird as a “genius” and “dogged” reporter who “represented the very best of humanity and the best of journalism”.
He stated Mr Bird had a “depth of humanity” that engaged individuals and a sincerity that made it “very hard not to answer the question”.
He remembered “the Big Snow” of the early Eighties, when he first met Charlie Bird and “knew he had a friend for life”.
Mr O’Rourke stated Mr Bird “didn’t make any secret of his fears” when it got here to his analysis and sickness.
“The end is inevitable no matter how long it takes. It’s terminal. Charlie didn’t want to end up in a wheelchair, but somehow he managed to adjust little by little. He faced every day and did so much for other people.”
