The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Catherine Martin, has expressed her condolences to the family and friends of Eurovision-winning songwriter and former RTÉ broadcaster Shay Healy. Minister Martin said: “Shay Healy was a gifted songwriter and a national treasure. His beautiful songwriting inspired a generation of Irish artists to take their place on the world stage.” She added:”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. I wish to offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Shay at this very difficult time.”
“Never forget to enjoy the climb rather than the view…”
Healy, from Sandymount in Dublin, raised the spirits of the nation when his song What’s Another Year, sung by Johnny Logan, won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1980 and presented the RTE program Nighthawks before leaving RTE to set up an independent production company. He also spoke openly about his battle with Parkinson’s Disease which he had for the last 18 years of his life. He said: “I hope that the last thing to go will be my spirit”.”Insisting that there is no point in complaining, he urged everyone to make the most of life, adding: “I think that primarily, that is your responsibility to yourself. ”He said: “Never forget to enjoy the climb rather than the view. Sometimes the climb is more rewarding than the view.”
