| Kathleen Watkins | |
| Birth Date: | 1934 10, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Saggart, County Dublin, Ireland |
| Death Place: | Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation: | Broadcaster, harpist, singer, author |
| Education: | Dominican College Sion Hill |
| Years Active: | 1961–2024 |
| Nationality: | Irish |
| Children: | 2 |
Kathleen Watkins (17 October 1934 – 7 November 2024) was an Irish broadcaster, harpist, actress, singer and author. She was married to Gay Byrne from 1964 until his death in 2019.[1]
In her early career, Watkins worked as a folk singer and harpist. She was the first continuity presenter to appear on RTÉ television when it was launched in 1961.[2] She played Grace Gifford in the 1966 docudrama Insurrection. She hosted the Rose of Tralee in 1977, the only woman to do so[3] until Kathryn Thomas began co-hosting in 2023. Watkins published three children's books and two poetry collections.[4]
Watkins died in Dublin on 7 November 2024, at the age of 90.[5]