Former Bosco presenter Gráinne Uí Mhaitiú has sadly died at the age of 72, the Irish Times has confirmed. The broadcaster is best known for co-hosting the RTÉ children's television programme alongside Frank Twomey in the late 1970s and early 1980s. There she entertained generations of young viewers alongside the iconic puppet, which became one of Ireland's most recognisable and nostalgic shows.

During her time on screen, she helped guide young audiences through stories, songs and imaginative segments. Gráinne was also a passionate Irish speaker and contributed to Irish-language broadcasting during her television career.

She also presented the Irish language talk show SBB Ina Shuí alongside Seán Bán Breathnach. The outlet revealed that the presenter died at Tallaght University Hospital on Saturday (May 2). She is survived by her husband, Séamas, and her son Connla and daughter Aoife.

Her death notice on RIP.ie also added that she will be sadly missed by her sisters Bríd and Aislinn, brother Cillín, grand-daughters Bláithín and Sadhbh, son-in-law Jarlath and a wide circle of friends. A cause of death has not been announced, and funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed.

It reads: “Uí Mhaitiú, Gráinne (née Ní Eifearnáin), Carrigacurra, Valleymount, Co. Wicklow, May 2, 2026, in the wonderful care of the staff in Tallaght University Hospital.

"Deeply regretted by her family, Séamas, her husband, her son Connla, daughter Aoife, sisters Bríd and Aislinn, brother Cillín, grand-daughters Bláithín and Sadhbh, son-in-law Jarlath and a wide circle of friends.”

After the news broke, fans flocked to the comments to share their sympathies. One user penned: "Oh how sad to hear this! RIP Gráinne [heart emoji]" as another agreed: "Rest in Peace sincere sympathy to all her family, my boys love her and Bosco [heart emoji]."

A third echoed: "So beautiful and talented part of my own younger years parenting," as a fourth chimed in with: "Ah, I remember her so well from being in Bosco [sad emoji] RIP."

A fifth added: "Condolences to all her husband, family, relatives and friends. May her fun-loving heart rest in peace [prayer emoji]." A sixth wrote: "RIP Gráinne, this brings back so many happy memories of when my kids were young and I think the world was a nicer place."

Tributes also poured in from those who knew Gráinne away from her TV career. One user gushed: "She was a lovely lady with always a kind word in passing." Another agreed: "So sorry to hear of Gráinne's death. She was so lovely to meet, so cheerful, when we played camogie in Maryfield, and when she lived in Swords, she had studied interior design and was loving it. She had a great sense of humour and great capacity for enjoyment."

A third added: "I had the pleasure of working with her in The College of Ireland in Dublin when we supervised exams for Carlow IT. We met a few times after that. She was such a vivacious person, and so proud of her little granddaughters."