The RTE legend was flattered to have had his name put in the hat for one particular presidency, but his youngest daughter Suzy believes it was never a role he had aspirations for
Gay Byrne’s daughter Suzy has revealed her dad would never have run to be President because he knew his past statements would be put under intense scrutiny.
The RTE legend was flattered to have had his name put in the hat for one particular presidency, but his youngest daughter Suzy believes it was never a role he had aspirations for.
The 52-year-old, who has just published her second book PS Gay: More Letters And Memories from The Gay Byrne Show, said: “I think he had pretty much given most of his life over to public life. And as he said, the presidential campaign is tough. And he laughed.
“He said, ‘you know, I have been on television and radio for so many years, there’s no way they’re not going to be digging up stuff that my whole broadcasting career was based on. Me not being careful of my Ps and Qs, but being able to say what I wanted when I wanted to. So, you know, to then ask people to vote for you and all of that kind of being unearthed and twisted and turned. And suddenly you’re answerable to what you said in an interview 12 years ago, which was probably one of 15 interviews I did that week, so you wouldn’t have any chance of remembering accurately’.”
Suzy added: “So dad said, ‘Why would I? Why would I put myself into that position?’ So I think for a fleeting moment it was a nice compliment, but it never went any further.”
Suzy was speaking to Venetia Quick on The Grief Pod not long after her dad’s sixth anniversary and her mum Kathleen Watkins’ first. She told Venetia there was some comfort in the anniversaries falling just days apart.
Suzy recalled: “Last year, when mum was in the hospital, and she was nearing her last few days, and we had the radio on, and I remember Marty Whelan played, he played a tune that dad always played on his anniversary, and it was so lovely.”
Suzy added: “Mum was quite sick at the time, and we knew she was within a couple of days of dying. And I think it brought us great comfort, especially last year, that she didn’t die on his anniversary, but very close to it as if almost in sync.”
Suzy’s book PS Gay: More Letters And Memories From The Gay Byrne Show is available from Eason for €23.99
