'His work and legacy will never be forgotten': Tributes paid to Charlie Bird
While The Retired Climb Broadcaster Rté For Training His 74 Charlie Bird Patrick Died Aged Croagh
Tributes have been paid to former RTÉ broadcaster and campaigner Charlie Bird who has died following a long battle with motor neurone disease.
The veteran journalist was 74 when he passed away. He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021.
Since his diagnosis, Bird has been open about his struggles with the disease. He shared regular updates with his followers on social media, often with his much-loved dog Tiger by his side.
Following his diagnosis, he set up the Climb with Charlie project which raised over €3.5m for Pieta House and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. He was joined by thousands of supporters and famous faces on a hike to the top of Croagh Patrick for the cause in April 2022.
His death was confirmed in a statement to RTÉ on Tuesday.
Following the news, President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to Charlie Bird who he described as a “truly remarkable man”.
Charlie, his wife Claire, and their dog Tiger visited Áras an Uachtaráin in June 2022 where President Higgins personally thanked him for his work.
“It is with the deepest sadness that all of the Irish people, and particularly all of those who were his allies in campaigning for so many significant causes, will have learnt of the death of Charlie Bird,” he said.
“An exceptionally talented broadcaster, Charlie was a truly remarkable man driven by a deep sense of social justice in the most positive sense.
“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."
President Higgins also noted his efforts in raising awareness for motor neurone disease.
"In a way that was truly extraordinary, Charlie redefined our collective perspective on the illness of motor neurone disease and terminal illness more generally."
Daniel O’Donnell, who took part in Climb with Charlie, described the late broadcaster as an “inspiration”.
"It's a shock. I just can't believe that he's gone, albeit that we knew this day would come,” he said.
The singer met Charlie Bird while on two years ago and gifted him a pair of rosary beads — a gift that Charlie carried with him up until the day he died.
“I suppose on the night I, like everybody else in Ireland was so just taken aback by Charlie's bravery and impressed by the way he was talking about the situation he was in," he told RTÉ's .
“When he came off, I was just standing in the dressing room door, and I wanted him to know that he had support. I mean, how can you support somebody in that situation? And I just handed him what was important to me,” he said.
The singer said he got in touch with Charlie again after the show.
“I'm sad, of course, that he's gone, but I'm happy that he doesn't have to struggle or suffer anymore,” he said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Charlie was a “hugely talented journalist” who will be sadly missed.
“He had the trust and respect of the Irish people as he reported on events from all over the world as well as here in Ireland,” he said.
“From the Asian tsunami and 9/11, to the peace process and the banking crisis, people knew they could rely on Charlie for the story.
“His can-do attitude, his dedication to helping others through charity work, and the open manner in which he discussed the impact of the disease on his life, and on his family, was exemplary.”
Taking to social media, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the passing of Charlie Bird, who “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 peers,” he continued.
“He memorably covered national [and] international events such as the Peace Process, the Sept 11 attacks, the Gulf War, and the National Irish Bank scandal.
“Personable and engaging, Charlie had the public interest at heart, representing public service broadcasting at its very best."
Former RTÉ journalist Tommie Gorman told RTÉ’s that he was surprised when he learned of his friend's passing.
“When I heard last night that he died, I said ‘Charlie, you’ve surprised me one more time’, I didn't think he would go so fast," he said.
From working on stories related to the Financial Crash to the Troubles, and the Stardust tragedy, which held a special place in his heart, Charlie had a sense of compassion like no other, Mr Gorman said.
“Charlie loved the story he loved telling stories. He loved the big stories. The bigger the story, the more he wanted to be involved with it,” he said.
However, while working on these stories, Charlie took it upon himself to get involved with the people at the heart of it.
"In particular with the Stardust, because Charlie hated the unfairness of it, and he kept connecting with the people who were involved in the Stardust. Charlie used to regularly say I love you to people and it was entirely genuine.
“He empathised with people. Once he connected with them, he stayed that way and the bond with the Stardust families was probably the strongest news story bond,” he said.
Antoinette Keegan, Stardust campaigner and survivor who lost two sisters in the fire, likened Charlie Bird to a family member.
“He was like part of our family. He was always there to support us. After my mother passed away in July 2020, he was one of the first people to ring me to pass the condolences over. It’s just devastating,” she said on RTÉ’s
Describing him as a “special friend”, Ms Keegan recalled giving him reassurance when he told her he was going for tests prior to his diagnosis.
Meanwhile, Sarah O’Toole, Executive Director for Samaritans Ireland, said Charlie Bird "showed incredible strength and courage throughout his illness".
"He will be remembered forever as a leading light for charitable organisations across Ireland, including Samaritans, for which his passion was formidable."
According to O'Toole, Charlie often said he chose Samaritans as he found himself in a dark place following his diagnosis.
“Only two weeks ago Charlie announced plans to lead volunteers on another walk in Wicklow this April, which we were all looking forward to it," she said.
“On behalf of Samaritans volunteers and staff across Ireland, I want to send our heartfelt condolences to Claire and the Bird family on their loss and let them know they are in our thoughts at this difficult time.
RTÉ Drivetime presenter Sarah McInerney described Charlie as “indefatigable and brave”.
Also paying tribute, presenter Fran McNulty reflected on the time he spent sitting beside Charlie Bird in the newsroom.
"Charlie Bird was a wonderful man, he was utterly decent," he said. "We sat side by side in the newsroom for some years, Charlie was always fun [and] generous."
Charlie Bird was a wonderful man, he was utterly decent. We sat side by side in the newsroom for some years, Charlie was always fun & generous. His hunger & passion as a journalist was inspiring. Remembering the day we climbed the reek R.I.P Charlie pic.twitter.com/sDHhrZRALf
— Fran McNulty (@franmcnulty) March 12, 2024
Fellow RTÉ journalist Samantha Libreri said he was her mentor and friend.
“I learned so much from Charlie Bird and was so lucky to have his support and friendship. I’ve never met anyone with his passion, energy and excitement for a story,” she wrote alongside a picture of the pair.
“I’ll miss him so much but carry his words and wisdom with me every day that I do my job.”
My mentor and my friend ❤️ I learned so much from Charlie Bird and was so lucky to have his support and friendship. I’ve never met anyone with his passion, energy and excitement for a story. I’ll miss him so much but carry his words and wisdom with me every day that I do my job https://t.co/Xw6uTUwiJn pic.twitter.com/Gjg0xHSitE
— Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) March 12, 2024
“So sorry to hear of the passing of my former colleague Charlie Bird. To the end, in his darkest days, he worked to help others and raise awareness of a terrible disease,” said former Industry and Employment Correspondent for RTÉ Ingrid Miley.
“My sincere condolences to his beloved Claire and Tiger, and all his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”
RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst said Bird had left a “unique legacy”.
“He was a leader in Irish journalism, dedicated, ferocious in his pursuit of the truth and trusted by the public,” he said.
“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 was deeply empathetic and a gifted communicator which shone through in his news reports, major investigations and many documentaries.
“His campaigning work, especially since his illness diagnosis, has gone on to help so many others, as was Charlie’s selfless way.
“Our thoughts are with his wife and our colleague Claire, his children, grandchildren and many friends.”
Charlie Bird first joined RTÉ in 1974, with his first role being a researcher for the broadcaster's current affairs programming.