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Charlie Bird Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Service to celebrate life of Charlie Bird to be held at Dublin's Mansion House tomorrow

The former RTÉ journalist and charity campaigner died on Monday aged 74.

A SERVICE TO celebrate the life of former RTÉ journalist and charity campaigner Charlie Bird, who died on Monday aged 74, will take place tomorrow at Dublin’s Mansion House. 

The service will be held in the Round Room of the Mansion House at midday. 

“Died peacefully in the wonderful care of Wicklow Hospice with his family at his side,” his death notice on RIP.ie says. 

“Sadly missed by his beloved wife, 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 extended family, former colleagues and a wide circle of friends both at home and abroad. Remembering also Orla and Neasa’s late mother Mary,” it says. 

President Michael D Higgins led tributes yesterday describing Bird as a “truly remarkable man driven by a deep sense of social justice”.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Charlie Bird was a “hugely talented journalist and an inspirational person, who will be sadly missed” in a statement today.

Speaking to reporters while in the US, Varadkar described Bird as a “genuinely special person”.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was deeply saddened by the news, lauding Bird’s “courage, generosity of spirit and dignity” while facing his illness.

Bird, who retired from Montrose in 2012 as Chief News Correspondent, spent almost four decades reporting for RTÉ, having joined as a researcher in current affairs in 1974. 

He moved to the news department in 1980.

One of the first major stories he reported on was the Stardust tragedy in which 48 people, most of them teenagers, were killed at the Stardust disco in Dublin in 1981.

He reported on many major events throughout the Troubles and the peace process in Northern Ireland and for years was the point of contact between the broadcaster and the IRA. 

In 1998, together with George Lee, he exposed corrupt practices and tax evasion at National Irish Bank.

Later in his career he took on the role of Washington Correspondent, before returning to Ireland to cover national news. 

He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2021, news he described as a “nightmare”.

He climbed Croagh Patrick in 2022 as part of a nationwide campaign, and later confirmed the initiative had raised over €3 million for the charities.

Lillian McGovern, chief of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, told the News at One that the money Bird helped raised for the organisation was of “huge significance”. 

“We employed another nurse around the country, we invested money in research and we worked with Charlie as to where the money went and people with MND truly, truly appreciate that practical help,” McGovern said.

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    Mute Parmenides
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    Sep 18th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Just like oour very own unflappable Dobbo, the consummate professional. It’s only a mistake if you acknowledge it. Dobbo could take an arrow to the knee and still deliver the news in a a professional and concise manner.

    191
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    Mute Larry K
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:53 PM

    It also shows just how vital an iPad is for a news presenter

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    Mute Clyde Doyle
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    Sep 18th 2013, 10:06 PM

    Ha ha

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    Mute Michael Donnelly
    Favourite Michael Donnelly
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:31 PM

    That’s a lost bet from a night in a pub. Or I’ll eat my hat!!

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    Mute Paul Radford
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:26 PM

    You’re right, no other reason for a ream of paper to be anywhere near studio.

    Well spotted Watson, well spotted. Solved

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    Mute Oliver Walker
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:55 PM

    That….looks absolutely ridiculous

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    Mute Veronica
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:54 PM

    Fair pay to him, he kept his cool throughout!

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    Mute Seoirse M H
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:32 PM

    The BBC News service is so blatantly biased and a spring of propaganda. It’s all in the words they choose and nice words are reserved for those who align with Western interests.

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    Mute Leigh Power
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    Sep 18th 2013, 3:50 PM

    As opposed to yourself who’s completely unbiased.

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    Mute Mick Rooney
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:03 PM

    You’ve obviously never looked at the blatant Fox-led British Sky News for slanted opinion and bias presenting in their daily news. For all the starch and stuff upper lip of the BBC, you at least get basic news reported less the editorial and reality-show hyperbole of SKY.

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    Mute Seoirse M H
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    Sep 18th 2013, 4:17 PM

    Re Mick.

    Hi Mick. Wouldn’t look at SkyNews for news unless I needed some encouragement. The BBC nature programs et al are good but the news service is unbelievably produced according to an agenda. Just look at any articles from the BBC on Pinochet. Absolutely shocking the way they choose words in their description of him and slant on him.

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    Mute Paul Radford
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:28 PM

    So what do you think of Tv3. Interesting to hear your reply.

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    Mute Mick Rooney
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:38 PM

    BBC docu stuff is generally, outstanding, though I take your point on the Pinochet stuff.

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    Mute Mick Rooney
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    Sep 18th 2013, 5:43 PM

    Eh, TV3!? Do they call what they do in soundbites news? I used to watch Vincenzo, but, frankly, I couldn’t care less what Georgia, Amy or Glenda do next as an excuse for news! TV3 news reminds me of John Craven’s newsrooms for kids, or the mentally challenged!

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    Mute Wham Wham
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    Sep 18th 2013, 2:32 PM

    I’ve done that afew times in school! You’d be mortified but with all those kids staring at you it’s bound to happen!

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    Mute Trevor Beacom
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    Sep 18th 2013, 6:25 PM

    A decent newsreader mccoy who was pushed out of sky for clashing with the maggie Thatcher of media

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    Mute Cathal Egan
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    Sep 18th 2013, 8:44 PM

    Maybe he got scammed by the people who show you what you’re buying then give you the case filled with paper and leave before you notice. He just hasn’t noticed yet.

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