Legendary presenter Gay Byrne received a life time achievement award on Friday night but couldn’t pick up the gong due to a chest infection and broken wrist.
The 84-year-old RTE star was honoured with the Ireland-US Council's Lifetime Achievement Award in Dublin castle.
Gay’s wife Kathleen Watkins and their daughter Suzy Byrne accepted the award on his behalf from President Michael D Higgins.
The Ireland-US Council helps build business links between both countries.
.Kathleen Watkins said at Dublin Castle: "I'm so sorry Gay can't be here today.
“He was hoping to be here, but in fact during the week a number of things all came together.
"He was in need of treatment for a little problem with the leg, and then he got a chest infection, and then he fell and broke his wrist so everything comes together."
The former Late Late show was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016 and has been receiving treatment since.
In his speech at Dublin Castle, President Higgins paid tribute to Gay Byrne's "long and distinguished broadcasting career".
He added: "There can be no doubt that whenever broadcasting is discussed the name Gay Byrne is and will always be mentioned, for it is deeply embedded into the history of broadcasting in Ireland.
"His is a name that is, and will always be, held in affection across the country.
“His voice has, for so many years, been as integral to the rhythm of our lives as the passing of the seasons."
"Controversial, outspoken, and unafraid to break new ground, it has been said that, throughout his many decades on television and radio, Gay Byrne's role in the shaping and crafting of modern-day Ireland has been profound.
"Where others were reticent, afraid, or simply too cute, he took the lead."
"Gay Byrne was, for many decades, the insightful and courageous voice of a changing Ireland in a changing world.
"Today he is, quite deservedly, celebrated as our greatest ever broadcaster."
Gay has been a fixture of Irish TV and radio since he joined Radio Éireann in 1958 and hosted the Late Late Show until 1999.
