Family share memories in service for Charlie Bird

The order of service to celebrate the life of former RTÉ correspondent Charlie Bird, who died on Monday.

A special service to celebrate the life of former RTÉ journalist and charity campaigner Charlie Bird has taken place in Dublin.

Mr Bird’s coffin was carried by family members into the Mansion House, while the Clew Bay Pipe Band played music.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community formed a guard of honour - a hat tip to Mr Bird's dedication to marriage equality.

His wife, Claire Mould, said his zest for life was what made her fall in love with him.

'A household name'

Mr Bird died on 11 March after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021. He was 74.

His wife told those in attendance that he loved being at home in County Wicklow, walking the hills with her and their dog Tiger, drinking pints of Guinness and eating roast chickens on Sunday.

"I love you Bird, and I’m going to miss you so much," she said.

She said she was told to speak from the heart but "when you're heartbroken it’s a very difficult task".

The family of Charlie Bird walked behind the coffin as it entered Mansion House in Dublin

Mr Bird's daughter Orla spoke of her childhood in Bray where "our dad never tired of pointing out to us that we lead a charmed existence".

She said that intertwined with this family life was an extraordinary career, and the news was a permanent fixture.

"But today we think of the family memories; the Sunday walks we were marched on, being taught to drive by our dad and family holidays in France where our dad struggled to put up the tent," she said.

"He was such great fun."

Another daughter, Neasa, said her father showed people that it is okay to be afraid, but there are still good days to be had when memories can be created.

She said her father left a legacy of hope, courage, purpose and determination.

RTÉ journalist Joe O'Brien who led Thursday's service, said Charlie Bird was "quite literally a household name".

He said Mr Bird had a dynamic and forceful style of reporting, as well as a "nose for news, [being] a smart dresser and hard worker".

"He was generous with great people skills, cheeky, witty and brave beyond words."

RTÉ broadcaster Sean O'Rourke delivered a reflection as did Antoinette Keegan, a survivor of the Stardust nightclub fire in 1981.

That fire killed 48 people who were attending a Valentine's Day event at the nightclub in north Dublin.

Reporting on the tragedy had a profound impact on Mr Bird and he remained a campaigner for the families until his death.

Mr O'Rourke described his friend and colleague as "magic".

He said Mr Bird had "wisdom and integrity".

"With him, it was the real deal or no deal," Mr O'Rourke said.

"What mattered was the story and getting it right."

Charlie Bird died on Monday after a long illness

Music during the service included Bruce Springsteen's Land of Hope and Dreams which Springsteen dedicated to Mr Bird during his last Dublin concert.

As a number of senior politicians had travelled overseas for St Patrick's Day, the Irish president's Aide de Camp was in attendance.

Former Irish President Mary Robinson also attended.

Mr Bird's young grandchildren brought mementoes to the service including rosary beads bought for Mr Bird by singer Daniel O'Donnell.

His walking stick, which he used to help him climb Croagh Patrick, a book about Springsteen and a photograph of his grandchildren were all also placed in front of his coffin.

Mr Bird will be buried on Inis Oírr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay.