Miriam Lord: Tiger whimpers in heart-melting moment at Charlie Bird’s moving memorial service

Family, friends, colleagues and the former RTÉ journalist’s beloved dog, Tiger, gathered in Dublin’s Mansion House for the memorial serviceTiger Bird, rising to the big occasion and displaying a great nose for a good line. Just like his newshound master used to do., from some other dimension, bellowing an approving, “That’s my boy!” before checking that the celestial cameraman got it for the evening news.

Earlier, at midday, family members and former RTÉ colleagues carried Charlie’s eco-friendly, woven water hyacinth coffin into the Mansion House’s historic Round Room, passing a guard of honour from the Clew Bay Pipe Band. The pipers, their black Glengarry hats folded and placed on the ground as a mark of respect, played Raglan Road.

With all the unpleasantness of the past year, it was good for the hardworking hacks and newsroom middle-management – serving and retired – to get the chance to meet and reminisce and have a few chuckles without an Oireachtas committee demanding to see the receipts.. At any other time, the place would have been heaving with Government Ministers and the like, but they are abroad on St Patrick’s Day duty.

At the outset, Charlie’s five grandchildren placed mementoes of his life at a table beside the flower-laden coffin. There was a family photo, two biographies, a Bruce Springsteen book, the wooden staff he used when climbing Croagh Patrick, a postcard painted by Joe Duffy and the rosary beads given to him by Daniel O’Donnell, which will be buried with him on Inis Oírr on the Aran Islands.

Another RTÉ stalwart, Sean O’Rourke, perhaps with an eye to the current controversies, spoke of how Charlie adored public service broadcasting and of his commitment to the highest journalist standards. “Those standards still endure and will endure.” survivor and campaigner, Antoinette Keegan. She told of Charlie Bird’s unstinting support for the families seeking justice after the death of 48 loved ones in the nightclub fire in 1981. He was one of the first reporters on the scene.Words too from the Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lt General Sean Clancy, who was a big part of the Climb with Charlie fundraiser on Croagh Patrick and from LGBT rights activist, Karl Hayden.

Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Miriam Lord: Theatre-going Fianna Fáilers would like to create a drama of their ownGreens should be celebrating the beginning of summer with the welcome addition of a new Senator Mal O’Hara
Source: IrishTimes - 🏆 3. / 98 Read more »

Miriam O'Callaghan stuns in glamorous silver dress at charity eventThe Prime Time presenter was delighted to support children's hospice LauraLynn on Saturday night as she joined well-known faces for a night of fundraising and entertainment
Source: RSVPMagazine - 🏆 7. / 76 Read more »

Miriam Margolyes ‘worries about’ Harry Potter fans because ‘they should be over it by now’It's man stuff
Source: JOEdotie - 🏆 31. / 51 Read more »

Miriam Margolyes ‘worries about’ Harry Potter fans because ‘they should be over it by now’It's man stuff
Source: JOEdotie - 🏆 31. / 51 Read more »

Charlie Calls for Support for His Wife and Dog After His DeathThe veteran Irish journalist and broadcaster, Charlie, has called on his followers to continue supporting his wife Claire and dog Tiger after his death. He has seen a further deterioration in his health and expressed his gratitude to his neighbors and carers. Charlie also made a direct appeal to his supporters to continue the work of extending friendship and supporting the charities he is involved with after his passing.
Source: JOEdotie - 🏆 31. / 51 Read more »

House Prices Higher Than The Celtic TigerHouse prices are higher now than during the peak of the Celtic Tiger boom, according to the Central Statistics Office.
Source: TodayFM - 🏆 26. / 51 Read more »