My grandfather was in the audience on the night when it happened. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, but he could still remember the night well and the atmosphere in the studio. He passed away last night, and I only watched this clip for the first time today. Now I know who he felt.
Aww bless him. Listen to the poem for yourself. Sister Eileen there made a good point. I'm sure your grandad wanted you to hear it. Xx I want to say name your son for him. No idea why.
"Why did she die?" "Are you being funny?" That would have broken most hosts , but Gay Byrne was such a professional that not even that phased him. The way he gets the audience on side and gets thru to the woman despite her grief is a masterclass of live telly. A training lesson for all on camera
I'm sure he meant to say "how" rather than "why" but he was operating on unscripted shock and it's totally forgivable. It's a fine example of why the late 'Gaybo' was a master host.
100%, absolute textbook live television anchoring, the ability to be able to adapt to the unexpected quickly. Imagine Graham Norton, Twitcher Tubridy or Pat the plank trying to adapt to a situation like this, they'd fold like a deck of cards. I'm not even sure that the greats of old like Terry Wogan and Michael Parkinson would have handled a situation like this as efficiently either.
@@paddypenman2682 I'm of an age that when I was a kid & it was just the two channels and Gay on Friday's and Kenny on Sunday's haha, the parents would watch both & and I feckin hated it!
In many ways one of the most Irish things you will ever see. The relaxed lighthearted chat beforehand, the way everyone including the first caller has a great laugh at the unfortunate situation of not being home, and how amazingly everyone in the studio deals with the absolute tragic shock and sadness of the second call. When dealing with loss and heart ache you’ll never be in a better company than a room full of Irish people. We deal with death and tragedy so well.
100%. This may be a terrible way to explain us, but we love to hear about it. Not love hearing the fact you lost someone, but love you let us having you not bottle stuff up, and to have someone to listen to. - Including any tragedy.
Truly remarkable. I can’t help but think how this would have been grossly mishandled almost anywhere else. A tip of the hat to Ireland and this man whom I’ve never seen before. Well done!
I saw this video a day ago. It's already in my secret 'head file' of personal favourite pieces of media, literature, art, or anything. It sits among a handful of things in my head museum that bring about in me a certain glow that will carry me through dark nights. I know I'll come back here for years for the same comfort, the same anguish and redemption that I have known tonight. God love us.
Tears rolled down my eyes when I seen this on live TV,very sad and tradgic,but the poem that brendan recited ,was the most iconic and beautiful one that I have ever heard in my life.god bless ireland
I had tears running down my face before I even knew it was happening. God bless that poor old soul and her late daughter who would be 57 years old now.
I remember that night well. I was watching the show. The way the atmosphere changed to such a shocking chill, hearing that poor mother . Gay was brilliant .. and Brendan’s beautiful poem, I just wept .. 😢
An extraordinary piece of live television. Credit to every single person involved, only in Ireland, god bless that family and the woman who died so suddenly. The whole country was thinking of her that night.
@@StephenICthat’s not true whatsoever. Just because you don’t feel the same way doesn’t mean we’re faking some sort of upset over it. No, it’s not that deep. But my interpretation of what the nun said is genuine.
I watched this with my late mother. My own brother was killed earlier that year. My poor Mam was gutted watching this feeling that mother's pain and shock. R.I.P to all xx
I met Gay professionally on a number of occasions. He was one of finest television presenters I ever knew; he really was head and shoulders above most others. His interview with Jane Fonda, in which he discussed her mother’s suicide with her, was exemplary in its tact and good taste, while also tackling a subject most other interviewers shied away from. Apart from his superb professionalism, he was also the most delightful and enjoyable of companions. I was honoured to know him.
As said numerous times in the comments, this is probably the most irish thing your ever likely to see in your life, the draw being a shambles, the 1st womans husband not being in, and the great nature in which she took not getting the prize. The 2nd call, the poor woman loosing her daughter, you can feel her pain just watching this 26 years later, the solidarity from every single person in the studio... even the gusets couldn't be more irish, a nun and a poet.... And to mimick the rest of the comments, i dont think Any other presenter in the history of television could of or would of handled that any better than Gay did, the man was a different class !!! And when Brendan Kennelly said that poem, every follicle of hair stood up in my body.... really compelling viewing. Watching this now, its crazy to think how much ireland has changed as a society and as a country...
HANLEY (Togher, Cork): On September 16th, 2021, peacefully, at the Mercy University Hospital. RITA (née McCarthy) dearly loved wife of the late Noel and much loved mother of Steven, Paul, Neal, Valerie, Sonya, and the late David, Lynda and Ruth, and loving sister of Florrie, Chrissy, Len, Alec, Denise and the late Olive and Nuala. RIP Rita
May God bless and rest Rita eternally 😢 May she be reunited with her adored daughter Lynda and other family members. Thank you for posting Rita's passing. I've often wondered how Rita was doing. Again, thanks for sharing 👍
What a moment. And to grasp everything that happened in those incredible few minutes from all on set. Wonderfully handled by everyone. Much love to this family
The grieving mother, a nun, poet w the beautiful poem to beginning again along w us all witnessing the shock and mundanity of death. The prayers said: a amazing snippet of the Irish mind & heart❤️☘️
This was so sad, yet one of the most extraordinary moments I’ve ever seen on TV. Sad for the mother & family, but this story surely affirms that death is just the ending of an episode & a new beginning awaits. Beautifully handled by Gay & the panel of very appropriate guests..💚
@@bookie5667A new beginning for those of us with souls, yes. For you, perhaps, there is no new beginning, but fortunately those without souls do not seem bothered by the fact.
@@bookie5667 I get you're trying to be edgy, but being agressively athiest went out of fashion years ago. We've all grown up now from the roots of religion that took hold on this country. We do not need to mock, or belittle our Irish brothers and sisters in their belief, no, for that is the territory of the small minded and arrogent. Of course this was a new beginning for the mother and entire family who lost their lovely daughter Linda, but also a new start for everyone watching at home and in the audience. I'm sure everyone held their loved ones and children that bit tighter that night. I hope you never lose someone and have someone on the internet making fun of their supposed 'eternal nothingness'. Even if you are right (and I believe the same), what good is it belittle them? "Grow up in your own beliefs - if you truly believe yourself then there is no need to disavow anothers".
For some people, the best way of coping is to try to carry on without drama. Kudos to the lady on the phone (Rita) for keeping things together. I hope she has had a good and happy life.
I hope that bereaved mother with 6 children who lost her eldest and right hand, was granted some consolation to her grief. Gay Byrne was always a class act, and only he had the sensitivity and presence of mind to prompt Brendan for that specific poem about Beginnings at a time of loss. I always remember seeing that moment live and I used Brendan Kennellys poem Begin Again when I designed and delivered a humanist funeral service for my favourite globe trotting elderly Aunt in both Dublin(cremation) and London(burial). God rest you Gay 37 years of excellence on The Late Late Show on RTE.
Your aunt sounds amazing - to have been a globe-trotter and a humanist at her age! I’m sure she had some amazing stories to tell, and what a beautiful way for you to honour her memory. This is my first time hearing the poem, and it really speaks to the very depths of one’s humanity. It is beautiful.
@@justanotherhappyhumanist8832 Thank you. My Aunt was amazing and I will write about her, she was an accomplished glamorous Irish woman working in the UK and in 1945 she married a German Jewish refugee who worked for the Allied forces as an interpreter at the Nuremberg trials, she learned to be humanist given the suffering she associated with religion all over the world. She and her late husband anticipated the current rise in fashism/far right divisiveness in Britain USA and parts of Europe.
Just watched this episode and crying at the wonderful way it was handled both sensitively and with true compassion ending with prayers been offered and that beautiful poetry that summed up life. Honestly I was truly touched by the way it was managed by Gabriel Byrne. God bless that family.
I think it's beyond sad what that poor mother experienced and the grace and dignity she displayed with gay s questioning of her was exquisite.. 😇🙏 If that footage doesn't melt out hearts nothing would 😥
The even weirder thing about this clip is that just before it starts here Gay says to his guest " come down here and pull a card out of this coffin!" That made this situation even stranger. The up loader should have left it in.
I honestly do not know why I stumbled onto this video this evening, but I'm glad to have laid witness to it, & see that there can be human compassion & decency in the world at the drop of a hat at the most unexpected time
Same here, it just popped up, but I’ve never seen anything like it. The best script writers in the world couldn’t have put this together. Very sad, but I could feel the love & genuine compassion coming through the screen 💚
Same here. I’m standing in my kitchen just quiet that hit hard. How amazingly that was handled just floored me speechless and I was already speechless.
I remember watching this live. Thanks for sharing. From memory the guest line up was a prostitute, a nun, a reformed alcoholic and an environmentalist maybe? It was an eclectic mix of guests anyway. And then for this to happen was unforgettable. I tend to remember the audience booing more when Gay followed the adjudicator’s rules and not allow the first caller to win the car because it was not her name on the card. This was a memorable episode from a time when the late late show was worth watching. God rest Gay Byrne, Brendan and Linda.
@@brigitnunez6735 Yes I do because that is what the line up was that night. Individually their “label “ is why they were brought onto the show. To talk about their label. That’s what I remember about the lead up to this happening. That’s why I mentioned it. Why do you ask?
Brendan's own daughter also died, suddenly, in April 2021 at the young age of 51. He died not too long after, in October of the same year. She was his only child😔
I used often pass him in Trinity college and he would always give a smile or a greeting, a true Kerryman, who emitted an enormous warmth. Some of my friends lived below him for a year and despite their messing and noise, he was always fierce gracious and had great time for them. I only wish I had studied in his class, I’m sure it would have been a great experience. I must find that poem now, wonderful altogether.
In the middle of high spirits, devastating news befalls the room. Tone changes instantly and everyone rallies around the grieving with a warm cushion of consolation. Everyone gives of themselves what they can to try to soothe the hurt. Because instantly, everyone felt it too. It had happened in private a million times before. It just so happened here on live television. But it played out as if they had all been in your kitchen at home. ❤
IT was so sad and while everyone clapped she said "is there any chance I could get a copy of that poem ?" But wasn't heard. I would bet she got a lot of consolation from Brendan's poem and the entire incident throughout her bereft hours, days and years.
Grew up not even 20 meters away from the spot on Togher road she passed. I knew Rita as a customer of my mothers. Never new until this moment that this happened on RTE. Unfortuantly the same spot on the road has taken many pedestrian lives over the years. RIP Rita.
After grief there is a beginning again like it’s brand new because the pain changes you completely and you have to find a way to carry on and continue. What a beautiful poem.
Amazing piece of television history. From the light hearted first call saying she'll kill him for missing out winning a lovely car to the 2nd call and the poor womans daughter being killed by one. The sad irony and the empathy of all concerned left me in awe. The fact that the mother went on and you find out the daughter had posted the card in for the mother. The answer to to the question being whisky made me think, that it might have been related as drink driving is a big cause of unnecessary deaths even today. The fact the lady carried on as gay said in the circumstances it was grotesque or inappropriate. I think he was just trying to spare the womans feelings but her determination to go on says alot about the human spirit. The fact she had a previous car crash that meant she could not drive, the fact again the daughter got the card and posted it for her mother. All those facts as the nun said quite clumsily was no coincidence. I thought that was a bit harsh at first, I mean did she mean the crash aswell? I guess she meant gods will and everything happens for a reason but still. Anyway it must have been some condolence to win the competition in such a bizarre turn off events and would immediately think it as her daughter sending a message from the other side. The poem again was very apt and astonishingly delivered under the circumstances. My heart goes out to the remaining family as this was a strong woman that will be missed.
Wow. When the nun says she 'doesn't believe in accidents', after we find out the woman's daughter died in a car accident, everyone holds their breath for a few seconds until she explains what she means.
What a man Gay was. The very fact that they ran over time to hear Brendan Kennelly's poem is testament to a better, simpler time. If it was today, Tubridy would cut off Rita, as the advertisers were waiting.........
When the nun got as far as saying "I don't believe in accidents ... " and someone heckled her, I died inside, thinking she was going to say something tone deaf about car accidents. But what she said was part of the magic of Linda's passing.
@@shamrockshore6308I agree completely. What she ended up saying though was very nice and at that time in Ireland most people still had it in their heads that members of the clergy were to be respected and their words valid. So that woman Rita probably did get a lot of comfort from the nuns words. Wouldn't be me, a priest or nuns condolences are worthless to me.
@@kenoneill8783 I am an Irish soul who doesn't make excuses for the horrors the Catholic Church have done to my land and my people. The only thing satanic is what the church done to the children of my country. Septic tanks filled with 100s of infant bodies in Tuam. The laundrys were they sent young women after stealing their children to sell to English and American family's. The only thing satanic is your ignorance to Irish history. You should be ashamed of yourself for a remark like that Ken. You will be judged along with the sickophants you wish to protect.
That is so sad. It tells you sense of community we had back then when people would go out of their way to look out for each other. Not so much now unfortunately. May they both rest in peace.
A simpler time , a more innocent time. What a amazing and poignant video clip . I thought it was a bit mean he didn't let the first wife answer , she handled it brilliantly, such fun. Thankfully she couldn't answer and Rita got a chance to express her grief.
Very moving situation. I wonder why Rita's daughter wanted her Mom to have a new car. I am sure there was a reason. Amazing reactions in the show, but I strongly felt Rita felt this was a connection to her daughter and this Mammy needed a car for some reason. Stay safe, anyone reading my comment so many years later. God bless🙏👼🍀 It's September again, so condolences to the family around the time of Rita's daughter's anniversary 🙏
@@laoch5658 amazing = capable of causing amazement. Both positive and negative things can cause amazement. The turn of events, and the unlikely series of coincidences involved, along with the poigiancy of the whole thing, do make this televisual moment capable of causing amazement.
Kennelly was the man. A friend who went to TCD in the 90s remembers him well - gallivanting about the place - in a good sort of way; one afternoon on a bench talking to a friend, some sort of academic - at another bench; they were really going for the gossip - good natured again, roaring laughing! RIP Brendan
Impossibly, unforgettably, sad, and handled with such grace by all. I reckon most of us who watched this live were changed by it, even if only a little And this is the sheer quality of Gay Byrne as a presenter in action, which sadly to led to various of his successors getting paid ever-increasing truckloads of money on the assumption that because they were doing his job they must be as unique and irreplacable as he was. Cargo Cult hosting decisions.
I’m only 20, so I wouldn’t have watched Gay Byrne on the Late Late, but watching this made me realise that Ryan Tubridy was basically just doing a Gay Byrne impression every night on the late late, and saying/doing what he would guess Gay Byrne would do.
How very Irish: a wager, a laugh, a nun, a poet, a Ma of seven, collective mourning and Gay Byrne.
And don’t forget the Irish whiskey!
My mother was Irish, they're all crazy, wonderfully, charmingly mad as a box of frogs 🐸 ❤❤❤
What does they even mean
My grandfather was in the audience on the night when it happened. He was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, but he could still remember the night well and the atmosphere in the studio. He passed away last night, and I only watched this clip for the first time today. Now I know who he felt.
My heart goes out to you. May he rest in peace. I'll say a prayer for him in the spirit of this moment.
sorry for your loss
sorry for your loss
Wow. I’m sorry for your loss
Aww bless him. Listen to the poem for yourself. Sister Eileen there made a good point. I'm sure your grandad wanted you to hear it. Xx
I want to say name your son for him. No idea why.
"Why did she die?"
"Are you being funny?"
That would have broken most hosts , but Gay Byrne was such a professional that not even that phased him. The way he gets the audience on side and gets thru to the woman despite her grief is a masterclass of live telly. A training lesson for all on camera
I'm sure he meant to say "how" rather than "why" but he was operating on unscripted shock and it's totally forgivable. It's a fine example of why the late 'Gaybo' was a master host.
As an Irish guy somewhere between being gen x & a millenial I fucking hated that little twerp - but this was a great moment of his for sure
100%, absolute textbook live television anchoring, the ability to be able to adapt to the unexpected quickly. Imagine Graham Norton, Twitcher Tubridy or Pat the plank trying to adapt to a situation like this, they'd fold like a deck of cards. I'm not even sure that the greats of old like Terry Wogan and Michael Parkinson would have handled a situation like this as efficiently either.
@@riptwanI would have had them any day over the clowns who came after him to be fair
@@paddypenman2682 I'm of an age that when I was a kid & it was just the two channels and Gay on Friday's and Kenny on Sunday's haha, the parents would watch both & and I feckin hated it!
Gay was head and shoulders above the other TV hosts. A real person as sharp as a pin. Great man.
He was a clown like yourself laddy
No he wasn't. He just looked good in comparison to RTE's other mediocre presenters, past and present.
Plus, he is a total prick for along with everyone else who were behind the decision of not letting that sweet woman answer the question.
@seanatkinson770
Yes I Agree with you I Loved Gay Byrne he was the Best God rest he's Soul❤️✨️
He handled this terribly.
Only in Ireland could this have been handled so beautifully. Very gracious and kind.
In many ways one of the most Irish things you will ever see. The relaxed lighthearted chat beforehand, the way everyone including the first caller has a great laugh at the unfortunate situation of not being home, and how amazingly everyone in the studio deals with the absolute tragic shock and sadness of the second call. When dealing with loss and heart ache you’ll never be in a better company than a room full of Irish people. We deal with death and tragedy so well.
Lovely description of a scene in Ireland. There is always empathy 🍀
I agree. I lived in Galway for 10 weeks and I was astonished at the genuine sweetness of the people. I found them to be very genuine.
Also having a nun in the studio feels very Irish.
100%. This may be a terrible way to explain us, but we love to hear about it. Not love hearing the fact you lost someone, but love you let us having you not bottle stuff up, and to have someone to listen to. - Including any tragedy.
Brendans poem was gorgeous. Linda her beloved daughter was giving her mum a message of love. The whole country got to pray for her mum.
Truly remarkable. I can’t help but think how this would have been grossly mishandled almost anywhere else. A tip of the hat to Ireland and this man whom I’ve never seen before. Well done!
I saw this video a day ago. It's already in my secret 'head file' of personal favourite pieces of media, literature, art, or anything. It sits among a handful of things in my head museum that bring about in me a certain glow that will carry me through dark nights. I know I'll come back here for years for the same comfort, the same anguish and redemption that I have known tonight. God love us.
Tears rolled down my eyes when I seen this on live TV,very sad and tradgic,but the poem that brendan recited ,was the most iconic and beautiful one that I have ever heard in my life.god bless ireland
Gay handled it well. The panel couldn’t have been better either, they all did well.
RIP Linda
I had tears running down my face before I even knew it was happening. God bless that poor old soul and her late daughter who would be 57 years old now.
69
@@seanbonella 59
You said it, Stephen- I remember watching this with my parents. Gay handled it impeccably. Still has an enormous emotional power.
😂😢
I remember that night well. I was watching the show. The way the atmosphere changed to such a shocking chill, hearing that poor mother . Gay was brilliant .. and Brendan’s beautiful poem,
I just wept .. 😢
An extraordinary piece of live television. Credit to every single person involved, only in Ireland, god bless that family and the woman who died so suddenly. The whole country was thinking of her that night.
Apart from the nun. "I don't believe in accidents" is a disgusting thing to say to someone after they've just had a child killed, in an accident.
@@JG-jc8dmI agree. She essentially said her daughter was killed so everyone could do a big special prayer. Felt so out of place.
That's not what she was saying and both of you know that, just looking for a reason to be upset
@@StephenICthat’s not true whatsoever. Just because you don’t feel the same way doesn’t mean we’re faking some sort of upset over it.
No, it’s not that deep. But my interpretation of what the nun said is genuine.
@@StephenICyou're absolutely right
I watched this with my late mother. My own brother was killed earlier that year. My poor Mam was gutted watching this feeling that mother's pain and shock. R.I.P to all xx
extraordinary piece of live television, stunning piece of poetry and god rest that poor woman's soul
You’re handsome
God not god in future ;)
I met Gay professionally on a number of occasions. He was one of finest television presenters I ever knew; he really was head and shoulders above most others. His interview with Jane Fonda, in which he discussed her mother’s suicide with her, was exemplary in its tact and good taste, while also tackling a subject most other interviewers shied away from. Apart from his superb professionalism, he was also the most delightful and enjoyable of companions. I was honoured to know him.
As said numerous times in the comments, this is probably the most irish thing your ever likely to see in your life, the draw being a shambles, the 1st womans husband not being in, and the great nature in which she took not getting the prize.
The 2nd call, the poor woman loosing her daughter, you can feel her pain just watching this 26 years later, the solidarity from every single person in the studio... even the gusets couldn't be more irish, a nun and a poet....
And to mimick the rest of the comments, i dont think Any other presenter in the history of television could of or would of handled that any better than Gay did, the man was a different class !!!
And when Brendan Kennelly said that poem, every follicle of hair stood up in my body.... really compelling viewing.
Watching this now, its crazy to think how much ireland has changed as a society and as a country...
Not for the better either 😢
@gavmcel 2590
Yes I Agree and the late late show was never the same without Gay❤️✨️
Beautifully observed & articulated..💚
@@garretmufc19Absolutely, just moved sideways and will continue until backwards is the only option
@@garretmufc19I love our country, but I have to agree
What an apt poem and so well delivered.
HANLEY (Togher, Cork): On September 16th, 2021, peacefully, at the Mercy University Hospital. RITA (née McCarthy) dearly loved wife of the late Noel and much loved mother of Steven, Paul, Neal, Valerie, Sonya, and the late David, Lynda and Ruth, and loving sister of Florrie, Chrissy, Len, Alec, Denise and the late Olive and Nuala. RIP Rita
May God bless and rest Rita eternally 😢 May she be reunited with her adored daughter Lynda and other family members. Thank you for posting Rita's passing. I've often wondered how Rita was doing. Again, thanks for sharing 👍
One of those moments in time that stays with you... the twists of fate that life throws up, God rest all in this clip that have since passed on.
Gay Byrne was a legend, a true professional... That was handled brilliantly...God love that woman
What a moment. And to grasp everything that happened in those incredible few minutes from all on set. Wonderfully handled by everyone.
Much love to this family
I remember watching this live on tv…Lord rest her soul it always stuck in my head to this day.
The grieving mother, a nun, poet w the beautiful poem to beginning again along w us all witnessing the shock and mundanity of death. The prayers said: a amazing snippet of the Irish mind & heart❤️☘️
I'm not the biggest Gay Byrne fan, but he handled this exceptionally well.
This was so sad, yet one of the most extraordinary moments I’ve ever seen on TV. Sad for the mother & family, but this story surely affirms that death is just the ending of an episode & a new beginning awaits. Beautifully handled by Gay & the panel of very appropriate guests..💚
What new beginning would that be? The trip to the cemetery? Incinerator at the crematorium? Eternal nothingness?
@@bookie5667A new beginning for those of us with souls, yes. For you, perhaps, there is no new beginning, but fortunately those without souls do not seem bothered by the fact.
@@larrycrowne8330 so you have a soul and I don't? You just make things up as you go along, don't you.
@@bookie5667 Are you a married man by any chance, bookie?
@@bookie5667 I get you're trying to be edgy, but being agressively athiest went out of fashion years ago. We've all grown up now from the roots of religion that took hold on this country. We do not need to mock, or belittle our Irish brothers and sisters in their belief, no, for that is the territory of the small minded and arrogent.
Of course this was a new beginning for the mother and entire family who lost their lovely daughter Linda, but also a new start for everyone watching at home and in the audience. I'm sure everyone held their loved ones and children that bit tighter that night.
I hope you never lose someone and have someone on the internet making fun of their supposed 'eternal nothingness'. Even if you are right (and I believe the same), what good is it belittle them? "Grow up in your own beliefs - if you truly believe yourself then there is no need to disavow anothers".
For some people, the best way of coping is to try to carry on without drama. Kudos to the lady on the phone (Rita) for keeping things together. I hope she has had a good and happy life.
Never seen this before and have to say it was handled well under the circumstances. RIP to mother, daughter and also Gay Bryne.
Devastating situation but heart rendering &heartwarming how human response made this a unique TV moment
I hope that bereaved mother with 6 children who lost her eldest and right hand, was granted some consolation to her grief.
Gay Byrne was always a class act, and only he had the sensitivity and presence of mind to prompt Brendan for that specific poem about Beginnings at a time of loss. I always remember seeing that moment live and I used Brendan Kennellys poem Begin Again when I designed and delivered a humanist funeral service for my favourite globe trotting elderly Aunt in both Dublin(cremation) and London(burial). God rest you Gay 37 years of excellence on The Late Late Show on RTE.
Your aunt sounds amazing - to have been a globe-trotter and a humanist at her age! I’m sure she had some amazing stories to tell, and what a beautiful way for you to honour her memory. This is my first time hearing the poem, and it really speaks to the very depths of one’s humanity. It is beautiful.
@@justanotherhappyhumanist8832 Thank you. My Aunt was amazing and I will write about her, she was an accomplished glamorous Irish woman working in the UK and in 1945 she married a German Jewish refugee who worked for the Allied forces as an interpreter at the Nuremberg trials, she learned to be humanist given the suffering she associated with religion all over the world. She and her late husband anticipated the current rise in fashism/far right divisiveness in Britain USA and parts of Europe.
RIP to them both it was heartwarming to see everyone smpathise with Rita she held it all together very well poor thing.
Nice set of legs on the lady in the front row in the red outfit.
Just watched this episode and crying at the wonderful way it was handled both sensitively and with true compassion ending with prayers been offered and that beautiful poetry that summed up life. Honestly I was truly touched by the way it was managed by Gabriel Byrne.
God bless that family.
Heart breaking and beautiful to see the collective response 🙏🏻💕✨
I think it's beyond sad what that poor mother experienced and the grace and dignity she displayed with gay s questioning of her was exquisite.. 😇🙏 If that footage doesn't melt out hearts nothing would 😥
The even weirder thing about this clip is that just before it starts here Gay says to his guest " come down here and pull a card out of this coffin!" That made this situation even stranger. The up loader should have left it in.
I honestly do not know why I stumbled onto this video this evening, but I'm glad to have laid witness to it, & see that there can be human compassion & decency in the world at the drop of a hat at the most unexpected time
Same here, it just popped up, but I’ve never seen anything like it. The best script writers in the world couldn’t have put this together. Very sad, but I could feel the love & genuine compassion coming through the screen 💚
Same here. I’m standing in my kitchen just quiet that hit hard. How amazingly that was handled just floored me speechless and I was already speechless.
An extraordinary television event. I didn’t know anything about this. Deeply, deeply moving.
O.M.G. How could you ever expect such a thing. This was jaw dropping. God love the poor woman.
Wow he handled that so well and it really makes you believe there is so much more out there and to have faith ❤
What a beautiful poem. RIP Linda and Rita. Xxx
OHHH MY!!!! This was so sad. Gay handled this tragedy so well. RIP Linda.
A monumental moment. Very sad. The poem was gripping and poignant. RIP dear Rita and may you hug your daughter Linda forever more in heaven together.
I remember watching this live. Thanks for sharing. From memory the guest line up was a prostitute, a nun, a reformed alcoholic and an environmentalist maybe? It was an eclectic mix of guests anyway. And then for this to happen was unforgettable. I tend to remember the audience booing more when Gay followed the adjudicator’s rules and not allow the first caller to win the car because it was not her name on the card. This was a memorable episode from a time when the late late show was worth watching. God rest Gay Byrne, Brendan and Linda.
Sorry do you need to lable everyone.
@@brigitnunez6735 Yes I do because that is what the line up was that night. Individually their “label “ is why they were brought onto the show. To talk about their label. That’s what I remember about the lead up to this happening. That’s why I mentioned it. Why do you ask?
What a remarkable man Brendan Kennelly was.
Agreed, such an appropriate and touching poem he read. Just astounding.
This makes me want to read up on him .I always saw him as a very clever man. But you take no notice when you are young .
Brendan's own daughter also died, suddenly, in April 2021 at the young age of 51. He died not too long after, in October of the same year. She was his only child😔
Yes, Brendan had the demeanor of a gentle and wise soul.
I used often pass him in Trinity college and he would always give a smile or a greeting, a true Kerryman, who emitted an enormous warmth. Some of my friends lived below him for a year and despite their messing and noise, he was always fierce gracious and had great time for them. I only wish I had studied in his class, I’m sure it would have been a great experience. I must find that poem now, wonderful altogether.
In the middle of high spirits, devastating news befalls the room.
Tone changes instantly and everyone rallies around the grieving with a warm cushion of consolation.
Everyone gives of themselves what they can to try to soothe the hurt.
Because instantly, everyone felt it too.
It had happened in private a million times before.
It just so happened here on live television.
But it played out as if they had all been in your kitchen at home. ❤
That poem was beautiful and I’m really glad I got to hear it. I think it suited well ❤
Oh god her crying during the poem. How heartbreaking
IT was so sad and while everyone clapped she said "is there any chance I could get a copy of that poem ?" But wasn't heard. I would bet she got a lot of consolation from Brendan's poem and the entire incident throughout her bereft hours, days and years.
Grew up not even 20 meters away from the spot on Togher road she passed. I knew Rita as a customer of my mothers. Never new until this moment that this happened on RTE. Unfortuantly the same spot on the road has taken many pedestrian lives over the years. RIP Rita.
After grief there is a beginning again like it’s brand new because the pain changes you completely and you have to find a way to carry on and continue. What a beautiful poem.
Amazing piece of television history.
From the light hearted first call saying she'll kill him for missing out winning a lovely car to the 2nd call and the poor womans daughter being killed by one.
The sad irony and the empathy of all concerned left me in awe.
The fact that the mother went on and you find out the daughter had posted the card in for the mother. The answer to to the question being whisky made me think, that it might have been related as drink driving is a big cause of unnecessary deaths even today.
The fact the lady carried on as gay said in the circumstances it was grotesque or inappropriate.
I think he was just trying to spare the womans feelings but her determination to go on says alot about the human spirit.
The fact she had a previous car crash that meant she could not drive, the fact again the daughter got the card and posted it for her mother. All those facts as the nun said quite clumsily was no coincidence.
I thought that was a bit harsh at first, I mean did she mean the crash aswell?
I guess she meant gods will and everything happens for a reason but still.
Anyway it must have been some condolence to win the competition in such a bizarre turn off events and would immediately think it as her daughter sending a message from the other side.
The poem again was very apt and astonishingly delivered under the circumstances.
My heart goes out to the remaining family as this was a strong woman that will be missed.
Wow. When the nun says she 'doesn't believe in accidents', after we find out the woman's daughter died in a car accident, everyone holds their breath for a few seconds until she explains what she means.
Exactly, think the word she was looking for was coincidences: held my breath myself at that point
Amazing. Young beautiful nun. I wondered where she is now.
So her god chose 33 yo Linda to die? What a monster.
@@colinmorrison5119 that is not what this lady says ofcourse
She could have chosen "coincidence" instead of "accident"
Brilliant Brendan … and Gay… Lord rest her daughter … so sad … great audience…. Sympathetic 😢
They will never be another Gay. God be with you. Rip 😢😢
What a man Gay was. The very fact that they ran over time to hear Brendan Kennelly's poem is testament to a better, simpler time. If it was today, Tubridy would cut off Rita, as the advertisers were waiting.........
Nine months on, and it's no longer Tubridys problem.
Ah, she picked number 7 because she had 7 children. ❤️
I remember watching this, hard to believe this is 26 years ago😢
Was watching this on the night. So well handled.
When the nun got as far as saying "I don't believe in accidents ... " and someone heckled her, I died inside, thinking she was going to say something tone deaf about car accidents. But what she said was part of the magic of Linda's passing.
The nun should've offered her condolences and then kept her mouth shut.
@@shamrockshore6308I agree completely. What she ended up saying though was very nice and at that time in Ireland most people still had it in their heads that members of the clergy were to be respected and their words valid. So that woman Rita probably did get a lot of comfort from the nuns words.
Wouldn't be me, a priest or nuns condolences are worthless to me.
@@shamrockshore6308*It's actually you and your buddy Satan who should keep your mouths shut.*
@@Micheal123mil
Another Irish soul lost to Satan, sad days indeed.
@@kenoneill8783 I am an Irish soul who doesn't make excuses for the horrors the Catholic Church have done to my land and my people. The only thing satanic is what the church done to the children of my country. Septic tanks filled with 100s of infant bodies in Tuam. The laundrys were they sent young women after stealing their children to sell to English and American family's. The only thing satanic is your ignorance to Irish history. You should be ashamed of yourself for a remark like that Ken. You will be judged along with the sickophants you wish to protect.
Extraordinary clip
- thank you
God bless this lady. I am certain she was reunited with her Linda . ❤️💜❤️
That is so sad. It tells you sense of community we had back then when people would go out of their way to look out for each other. Not so much now unfortunately. May they both rest in peace.
Heartbreaking beyond expression. A situation only the Irish could’ve handled so delicately. Beauty from sorrow.
Heart of a good man much missed ❤️
i remember watching this live, so heartbreraking
Incredible content composure and grace. Imagine this kind of dignity in 2023?
I was so impressed by the poem.
I can still feel her pain ❤️
Rita died this past September.
RIP to both.
So sorry to hear that .would love to know how all this affected her.
I remember this ,that poor woman,RIP to both.
Typical rte and mouth byrne
I remember watching this with my parents. So sad. May she Rest in Peace.
Extraordinary coincidences all round, her daughter sent the winning letter, and the poem recited by Kinnealy mentioned traffic etc...
"i dont believe in accidents" i thought that was going to go in a LOT worse a way for a second
This is live television at its best,fair play to gay for managing the situation
I was watching at home that night. It was so shocking. 😢
So sorry to Linda and Rita 😢❤ and her family
I'm so sorry for your loss,,, linda was watching over her mam that night ,,
A simpler time , a more innocent time. What a amazing and poignant video clip . I thought it was a bit mean he didn't let the first wife answer , she handled it brilliantly, such fun. Thankfully she couldn't answer and Rita got a chance to express her grief.
Very moving situation. I wonder why Rita's daughter wanted her Mom to have a new car. I am sure there was a reason.
Amazing reactions in the show, but I strongly felt Rita felt this was a connection to her daughter and this Mammy needed a car for some reason.
Stay safe, anyone reading my comment so many years later. God bless🙏👼🍀
It's September again, so condolences to the family around the time of Rita's daughter's anniversary 🙏
Pure class, grace, ajd humanity
I’m Canadian but 100 Irish and still have lots of relatives there. We are great at handling death and also at poetry. Rip.
You’re not Irish
Thank you for posting this.
What a different place Ireland was. I’m astounded.
What a wonderful blast from the past
Absolutely heartbreaking
I think he meant to say how did she die, rather than why. That was very sad to watch. Poor woman.
That's true. The poor woman. Gay handled it superbly
My heart broke for that poor family. RIP and god bless
Brendan just recently deceased aswell RIP
Lost his daughter, too. RIP :(
The late late show was never the same after Gay went
What an amazing piece of television.
disgusting to call this tragedy amazing television
@@laoch5658 didnt mean it like that ffs
@@laoch5658 amazing = capable of causing amazement. Both positive and negative things can cause amazement. The turn of events, and the unlikely series of coincidences involved, along with the poigiancy of the whole thing, do make this televisual moment capable of causing amazement.
@@laoch5658 ''an amazing piece of television'', is not the same as amazing television..
you know the they didn't mean it like that surely
Gay Byrne was an amazing man. He is greatly missed x
Beautiful stuff
Kennelly was the man. A friend who went to TCD in the 90s remembers him well - gallivanting about the place - in a good sort of way; one afternoon on a bench talking to a friend, some sort of academic - at another bench; they were really going for the gossip - good natured again, roaring laughing! RIP Brendan
Oh my goodness! Poor woman. That is absolutely shocking!
Spectacular poem
Very sad episode ❤Linda rip
As an agnostic, I’ve never believed in ‘divine intervention,’ until watching this upload. 🙏🏾
Moron
Could you imagine Alan Partridge dealing with the same circumstances on his show
Impossibly, unforgettably, sad, and handled with such grace by all. I reckon most of us who watched this live were changed by it, even if only a little
And this is the sheer quality of Gay Byrne as a presenter in action, which sadly to led to various of his successors getting paid ever-increasing truckloads of money on the assumption that because they were doing his job they must be as unique and irreplacable as he was. Cargo Cult hosting decisions.
Great post. So true.
Excellent post. A cargo cult what a fantastic analogy and applies to many things in life.
That was truely aweful. Imagine trying to cope with that.
This is incredibly sad for all concerned. 🇮🇪 💐 🇬🇧
Damn that made me cry my eyes out
For the time and how the generation of people were and to be caught so off guard on the spot he handled it as well as anyone would have.
This is an example of why Gaybo was such a consummate live broadcaster. Kenny, Tubridy and Kielty a r e only in the ha'penny place.
I’m only 20, so I wouldn’t have watched Gay Byrne on the Late Late, but watching this made me realise that Ryan Tubridy was basically just doing a Gay Byrne impression every night on the late late, and saying/doing what he would guess Gay Byrne would do.
I wasn't expecting that, speehless. Slainte ❤️