'A man of great decency and fairness': Former journalist Charlie Bird dies aged 74

BROADCASTER and journalist Charlie Bird, who has ed away at the age of 74, told this newspaper he was proud to claim his heritage from Macroom in Co Cork.

“My mother and father are dead a long time, but my parents are both from Macroom,” Mr Bird told The Echo in January 2022.

“Everyone knows Macroom is the town that never reared a fool, and ‘as cute as a Macrumpian’ was another saying about people from Macroom. I claim my heritage from Macroom, and hopefully I’m not a fool!” 

Mr Bird had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2021, and his death was confirmed in a statement to RTÉ on Tuesday morning. 

He first ed RTÉ in 1974, as a researcher for the broadcaster's current affairs programming, and, after six years, he was moved to the newsroom, where his work on international stories saw him promoted to chief news correspondent with RTÉ in the 1990s.

In a recent interview with Brendan O’Connor, the former RTÉ correspondent said:

“I’m not afraid of dying. I have had a great life as RTÉ chief news correspondent. I got to work on the biggest stories both home and abroad.

“I also have a wonderful family by my side since my diagnosis that helps me when I need and to come to term with my illness, that it is terminal and there is nothing I can do to change that. So I am not afraid of dying.” 

Mr Bird campaigned tirelessly throughout his illness for various charities.

In April 2023, hundreds ed the campaigner for his Hand of Friendship Walk in aid of Samaritans.

His ‘Climb with Charlie’ campaign eventually raised more than €3.3m for two Irish charities – the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Pieta House.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin led Cork voices paying tribute to the veteran journalist.

“Deeply saddened to learn of the ing of Charlie Bird, who inspired so many with the courage, generosity of spirit and dignity he faced his battle with Motor neurone disease,” Mr Martin wrote on X, which was formerly Twitter.

“As a journalist and broadcaster for RTÉ, Charlie had few peers.

“He memorably covered national and international events such as the Peace Process, the Sept 11 attacks, the Gulf War and the National Irish Bank scandal.” Mr Martin described Mr Bird as personable and engaging, saying he had the public interest at heart, and represented public service broadcasting at its best.

“Recently, Charlie captured the imagination, nurturing a true spirit of solidarity through his ‘Climb with Charlie’. His message of generosity, friendship, and simply looking out for each other will long be ed,” Mr Martin said, adding his condolences to Mr Bird’s wife Claire, his children, family and friends.

Two years ago, Mr Bird told The Echo he was a big fan of Cork Penny Dinners, and he had fond memories of interviewing the charity’s volunteer co-ordinator Caitríona Twomey.

“Penny Dinners is a great organisation, and I love them,” he said, ahead of volunteers from the charity ing in the ‘Climb with Charlie’ event on Croagh Patrick.

Ms Twomey said the Penny Dinners community was “devastated” to hear of Mr Bird’s ing.

“He was a man of great decency and fairness in his work and in his life, and that made him the unique man he was, and his life and his loss have touched Penny Dinners, and have touched the nation,” Ms Twomey said.

Mr Bird is survived by his wife, Claire, his children Orla and Neasa, his grandchildren Abigail, Charlie, Edward, Harriet and Hugo, and his dog Tiger.

In one of his final posts on X, on February 18, Mr Bird said: “Last year I asked when I would you keep ing Claire and Tiger with extending the hand of friendship to people in dark places. I got a great response.

“Where I am now in my journey, I want to repeat the call. I love you all.”