Tributes as Mr Eurovision Shay Healy dies aged 78
RTE star and songwriter loses long battle with Parkinson’s
TWO-TIME Eurovision winner Johnny Logan has led tributes to legendary songwriter Shay Healy following his death at the age of 78.
The iconic Dubliner, a famed RTE presenter and talented musician, passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Shay – who penned 1980 Eurovision winner What’s Another Year sung by Logan – was given the IFTA Outstanding Contribution To Television Award in 2018.
Speaking fondly of his pal yesterday, Johnny described the TV presenter and songwriter as “extraordinary”.
He said: “I was honoured to be his friend and to have spent time with him.
“I knew when I saw him last that he wasn’t long for this world and I said a quiet prayer to the Lord and said, ‘Take him by the hand and take him home’.
“He was writing songs in the nursing home, he was writing a new musical about Dublin city.
“Any time you met him, he lifted your spirits. It was an honour to have known him and if you look at all the time he was on TV, he was an extraordinary person.”
Speaking on RTE Radio One, Johnny added: “I will miss him but the other part of me is glad he has let go and been taken home.”
Shay, from Sandymount in Dublin, started out in RTE in 1963 as a trainee cameraman but soon found himself on the other side of the lens.
He continued his broadcasting career most notably with the late-night talk show Nighthawks which covered entertainment and current affairs. On
one occasion it made the news itself following an interview with former Minister for Justice Sean Doherty about phone tapping which eventually led to the resignation of Charlie Haughey as Taoiseach.
Shay was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2004 but continued working and performing right to the end, candidly discussing his illness on The Late Late Show in 2016.
He had two sons, Oisin and Fionnan, with his wife Dymphna, who predeceased him in 2017.
President Michael D Higgins said Shay was a “household name” whose talents extended “across so many areas”.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin tweeted: “He brought so much joy with his Eurovision success, and informed millions with his skilful interviews.”
Also sharing tributes was Eurovision winner Linda Martin, who spoke of her “wonderful memories” with Shay.
She said: “I really am truly sorry for his family and I’m thankful all the memories I have of him are happy ones.
“It’s tragic at the moment but I have wonderful memories of that man.”
Minister for Culture Catherine Martin added: “Shay Healy was a gifted songwriter and a national treasure.
“His beautiful song writing inspired a generation of Irish artists to take their place on the world stage. “His time as a broadcaster brought Shay into our homes where the Irish public fell in love with the man and with his irreverent and vital spirit.”
All the memories I have of him are happy LINDA MARTIN EUROVISION WINNER