RTE’s Late Late Show paid a simple but moving tribute to Ashling Murphy on Friday evening that left the nation in tears.
The show began with a traditional Irish music session but in the circle of musicians there was an empty chair with a fiddle resting on it in honour of Ashling, who was a talented fiddle player.
The “poignant” gesture had people in tears as the nation collectively grieved the loss of a young life following her horrific murder this week.
Ashling, 23, was violently killed as she went for a run at the Grand Canal at Cappincur in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on Wednesday.
People watching the Late Late Show took to social media to express how “heartbreaking” it was to see the empty chair with the fiddle on it.
One person wrote: “The empty chair for Aisling is both devastating and beautiful.”
Another agreed, writing “So simple and very poignant” and third wrote, “The empty chair had me in tears.”
One Twitter user wrote: “Heartbreaking seeing the fiddle sitting on the chair.”
Others praised the musicians who played traditional tunes and sean-nos lament, Anach Cuain, in honour of Ashling’s life.
One person wrote: “This is a classic and heart wrenching example of how brilliant the Irish mourn and lament the passing of loved ones. So beautiful.”
A second added: “Traditional Irish music never felt more powerful. A lovely tribute to Ashling.”
Another said: “That was the most haunting, beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my life and so powerful, such a nice way to remember Aishling.”
One person wrote: "A TV chat show processing a terrible recent event through thirty minutes of traditional music and song could only happen in Ireland. Profoundly in tune with who we are."
