Maura Derrane's sister Rita dies following long illness

The Today Show host and her sisters grew up on a farm on Inis Mór

Maura Derrane in the RTÉ Today Show studio

Rita Derrane, the sister of Today Show host Maura Derrane, has passed away following a long illness.

Tributes have been paid to "kind and gentle" Rita, who passed away on Tuesday at University Hospital Galway. Originally from Inis Mór, she had been living in Knocknacarra in Galway.