Charlie Bird obituary: One of Ireland’s best-known journalists for nearly 40 years

was one of the best-known broadcast journalists in Ireland for nearly 40 years. As chief news correspondent or special correspondent for the national broadcaster,, he reported on most major Irish and international news stories from the early 1980s until 2012, and he made a series of TV documentaries that attracted some of the station’s largest audiences.

A doorstep of Nelson Mandela in South Africa’s first post-apartheid general election in 1994 scooped the world’s media and featured in Mandela’s autobiography. Investigative work led to him being named Journalist of the Year, jointly with colleague George Lee, in 1998, for investigating allegations of tax evasion at National Irish Bank .

“I loved every day of my 38 years in RTÉ. I have never been afraid to say that I clawed my way to the position of chief news correspondent by my fingernails,” he wrote in his 2022 memoir Time and Tide. He was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in October 2021, more than seven months after suffering the first distressing symptoms. He went public about his illness on social and national media, often accompanied by his beloved dog Tiger. Public reaction to an impromptu remark on a December Late Late Show about wishing to climb Croagh Patrick prompted him to launch the Climb With Charlie campaign that raised more than €3.

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Legendary Broadcaster Charlie Bird Climbs Croagh Patrick for CharityCharlie Bird, the former Chief News Correspondent of RTÉ, climbs Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo to raise funds for Irish charities. He reported on major events in Irish history and was the point of contact between the Provisional IRA and RTÉ Newsroom. Charlie was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2021.
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RTE Stalwart Charlie Bird Dies After Battle with Motor Neurone DiseaseRTE stalwart Charlie Bird has passed away after a public battle with Motor Neurone Disease. He shared his heartbreaking journey with the disease since his diagnosis in 2021. Thousands of people climbed mountains in Ireland to raise funds for charity in his honor.
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Charlie Bird’s life with beloved wife Claire and friendship with ex-wife MaryIn 2016, Charlie tied the knot with his long-term partner Claire Mould - a former RTE colleague 20 years his junior, and he continues to enjoy a great friendship with his first wife of 24 years, Mary
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Daniel O'Donnell never imagined his gift to Charlie Bird would mean so muchCharlie had spoken highly of Daniel, sharing a story from when the pair of them appeared on The Late Late Show, when Daniel gave him a gift of rosary beads, which Charlie then carried with him every day
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Charlie Bird memorial service details announced as tributes continue to flood inThe legendary RTE journalist passed away “peacefully” on Monday at the age of 74 after a lengthy battle with Motor Neurone Disease
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