Veteran journalist Charlie Bird has revealed the location of his eventual resting place in a documentary that will be broadcast this evening.
The 72-year-old has been candid about his diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) late last year and will share his experience of the disease with viewers of Charlie Bird: Loud and Clear.
Charlie will visit Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, in tonight’s programme before disclosing his plans to have his ashes spread on the idyllic island.
“There is an amazing graveyard up in the sand, to me it’s peaceful, and at least I’ve sorted that issue out. That’s what I’m trying to do, sort everything out,” Charlie says in the programme.
Charlie has enlisted the help of pals Brid and Peadar Poil in gaining permission to have his ashes scattered in the Inis Oirr graveyard. The trio will visit the spot in the episode together before sharing an emotional moment.
“It’s so bizarre I’m looking at this. I’m happy that I’m going to be buried beside you, here on this beautiful island,” Charlie tells his friends during their trip to the graveyard.
The former Washington correspondent has committed himself to raising awareness and funds for MND since his diagnosis late last year.
Climb with Charlie, a charitable initiative which saw thousands of people across the country climb peaks in their local area, received over 3 million euro in donations. The money was donated to Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Pieta House.
Charlie has been open about the difficulties the disease has posed on his speech. He communicates primarily through voice technology, saying that science has given him “a new lease of life.”
Charlie is married to 52-year-old Claire Mould, who talks about the impact Motor Neurone Disease has had on the couple’s relationship in tonight’s programme.
“He is emotional when he is here and it’s just the two of us. You can get caught up in your own thoughts. It’s overwhelming, it’s not about dying, it’s about how you’re going to die,” Claire reveals.
The couple’s age gap spans twenty years, which they confess was kept secret from Charlie’s children in the initial stages of their relationship.
Charlie admits that his main worry is about what will happen to Claire when he is gone.
“I feel so upset for Claire, I really do. I want to put my arms around her and try and protect her,” the former reporter reveals.
Charlie Bird: Loud and Clear will air tonight at 9.35pm on RTÉ One.
