Chirpy uncle Gaybo hits 70

A 10-MILE walk and birthday cake number three. Yes, it was enough to get “excited and delighted” about yesterday for Gay Byrne as he celebrated his 70th birthday in low-key style.

The retired broadcaster marked the special occasion by taking to the hills of Donegal in the morning with a group of companions before enjoying an evening meal at a friend’s house.

However, true to form, Gaybo also took some time out to take to the airwaves on Highland radio to thank everyone for their birthday wishes.

“My own father was dead at 58, so it’s quite nice to reach this age in good health and to feel so well, having achieved so much,” Gay told listeners.

He spent the day with wife Kathleen and his two daughters Crona, 34, and Suzy, 31, in his house in Dungloe, Co Donegal.

It was the end of a week of celebrations with his family and friends in his adopted home away from home.

“We had birthday cake earlier in the week and then in a restaurant and again today,” Crona Byrne told the Irish Examiner.

“Loads of people rang and contacted him during the day, which he was very happy about,” she said.

The Byrne family are preparing for the arrival of the first grandchild in seven weeks, followed by Crona’s wedding.

“He’s just relaxing, taking it easy, as there’s so much coming up, including mum’s birthday,” Ms Byrne said,

But now that he’s a septuagenarian is Gaybo finally planning to leave the limelight behind him?

“Well, unless he has something up his sleeve. And he usually does,” said Crona.