“We knew gay was popular and loved, but we didn’t know how much … we do now.”

Kathleen Watkins, widow of the late Gay Byrne, thanks “the whole nation” for the messages, letters, cards, notes, and mass cards her family received after her beloved broadcaster passed away last year.

Speaking to Ryan Tubridi on the show late on Friday night, Watkins said: “They ‘re from all over Ireland and beyond.

“For three years he was sick, people would block me on the street, men and women, tell me we love him,” Watkins added.

“It was very beautiful and basically Irish, warm and genuine, genuine and sincere. Everything about it was beautiful. “

In an interview, Watkins told Tubridi that she had been hospitalized several times since her husband’s death last year, but that she was “feeling better” now.

“I feel good. I have my moments. I had a few moments last month, but I’m only working well with the help of family and friends. They are absolutely amazing. I always count my blessings,” Watkins said.

Clip the way Late Late Show

Talking about the last days before Gay’s death, Watkins said they angled his bed to see the lighthouse near their home in How How. She said she was happy to see a recording of it seven months after his funeral.

“I could not [to watch it], “She said.

“You go through different stages. A few days after Gay died, I remember someone saying to me: ‘Did you miss Gay?’ Telling someone is a terrible thing, because you never know when someone is gone and you don’t.

“I remember a woman whose son was killed in the Omag bombing, I remember her talking about him, and the words ‘he’s gone, he’s gone’ and ‘gone’ stuck in my mind. That is what is happening. You never know when that person might be gone. ”

In the run-up to the Toy Show late next month, Watkins has donated one of Gay’s infamous toy show jumpers to raise money for homeless charities this winter, inspired by a recent walk through Dublin City Center.

Surprised by the offer, Ryan Tubridi promised to use the jumper “in a meaningful way” to help the homeless.

The Toy Show airs late this year on November 27th.

You can watch last night’s episode of Late Late Show on RTE Player Here.