Gay Byrne: The ‘Conservative Catholic’ Who Changed Ireland

When Parnell died, he was described as ‘the uncrowned King of Ireland’. Something similar might be said – was said – about the broadcaster Gay Byrne, when he died in November 2019, aged eighty-five. Gay (‘Gaybo’ as he was popularly known) was not only the most famous television and radio presence in Ireland. At his death, tributes poured in from all sides emphasising the width of his impact on Irish society.