A book of condolences has been opened today for the late Gay Byrne

He'll be missed.

Yesterday, the great Gay Byrne passed away at the age of 85. He was a broadcaster, presenter, and a national treasure. And today, in Dublin's Mansion House, a book of condolences has been opened in his honour. On opening the book, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul Mc Auliffe said: "I am opening a Book of Condolence to allow the people of Dublin to express their sympathies to the family of Gay Byrne." "Gay had a huge impact on Irish society and was more than just a broadcaster. During his time as the host of the Late Late Show, he offered a platform for many varied and controversial issues and changed the social dialogue of the country." "Even after his retirement from the Late Late Show, he did not retire from public life and showed the true meaning of active retirement through his ongoing broadcasting and as Chairman of the Road Safety Authority." "On 11^thMay 1999, he received the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin at the Mansion House and as a mark of respect, the Dublin flag on the Mansion House will be flown at half-mast." "I would like to offer my personal sympathies to his wife Kathleen Watkins and their daughters Suzy and Crona, his extended family, friends and colleagues.  He will be sadly missed." The book will be open today from 11am to 5pm, and again tomorrow from 10am to 5pm.