A service to celebrate the life of Charlie Bird, the renowned Irish journalist and motor neurone disease advocate, will be held on March 14 in Dublin.
Bird “died peacefully in the wonderful care of Wicklow Hospice with his family at his side” on Monday, March 11, a notice on RIP.ie says.
“Sadly missed by his beloved wife, Claire, loving daughters Orla and Neasa, little wingman Tiger, his sons-in-law Rob and Aidan, adored grandchildren Charlie, Hugo, Abigail, Harriet and Edward, his extended family, former colleagues and a wide circle of friends both at home and abroad. Remembering also Orla and Neasa’s late mother Mary.”
The notice adds: “A service to celebrate Charlie's life will be held on Thursday, March 14 at 12 noon in the Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin 2.
“No flowers please.
“Donations, if desired, to Wicklow Hospice.”
Dublin-born Bird was renowned for his long and distinguished career in broadcasting and journalism. In the wake of his motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis in October 2021, he turned to charity work and raising awareness about the disease.
In January 2022, just months after his diagnosis, Bird launched the "Climb with Charlie" charity climb of Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo. Held in April, the event spurred some 200 "Climb with Charlie" fundraisers across Ireland and ultimately raised €3.4 million for a number of charities, including the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
Tributes to Bird have been widespread in the wake of his death on Monday.
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins extended his deepest condolences, writing: "It is hard to understate the impact which Charlie’s work to ‘Extend the Hand of Friendship’ has had on our country."
Statement by President Higgins on the death of Charlie Bird https://t.co/LCg1MdEKdC pic.twitter.com/YENhoanMpH
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 12, 2024
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said in a statement: "Charlie Bird was a hugely talented journalist and an inspirational person, who will be sadly missed.
"He had the trust and respect of the Irish people as he reported on events from all over the world as well as here in Ireland."
Tanaiste Micheál Martin said that Bird's "message of generosity, friendship, and simply looking out for each other will long be remembered."
He memorably covered national & international events such as the Peace Process, the Sept 11 attacks, the Gulf War, and the National Irish Bank scandal.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 12, 2024
Personable and engaging, Charlie had the public interest at heart, representing public service broadcasting at its very best.
Lillian McGovern, CEO of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA), said in part: "We will forever be grateful for the impact Charlie has made for the IMNDA, not only in terms of funding, which has so greatly helped us improve how we can support families; but also in terms of the impact his presence has had on creating awareness, getting people to sit up and take notice of what is truly a devastating disease.
"In many ways, Charlie started the important conversation, and it is up to all of us to continue it in his honour."
We @IMNDA are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the wonderful & truly inspirational Charlie Bird. Our heartfelt condolences to Charlie’s wife Claire, children Neasa and Orla, his grandchildren & of course his beloved dog Tiger. Lillian McGovern CEO @IMNDA pic.twitter.com/FxHLdgnqfC
— IMNDA (@IMNDA) March 12, 2024
Stephanie Manahan, CEO of Pieta, said Bird, an Ambassador for Pieta, "was an incredible force for good, and a wonderful and generous person who worked tirelessly to extend the hand of friendship to a range of good causes."
Pieta also shared information about the legacy Bird left at Pieta.
Charlie was also instrumental in establishing the Pieta and Belong To partnership. We send our deepest condolences to Claire, friends and family and everyone Charlie impacted in his life. May he rest in peace. 💛 pic.twitter.com/ZdfVcWUzku
— Pieta (@PietaHouse) March 12, 2024
Books of Condolences have been opened in Dublin and Co Wicklow.
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