Ryan Tubridy admitted he took a few tumbles while climbing Croagh Patrick in support of Charlie Bird after running up the mountain with Barry McGuigan.
But the RTE presenter, who was among thousands who set off on Climb With Charlie events nationwide on Saturday, said it was worth it for the love he witnessed at the top.
Read more: Charlie Bird says he will light candle for people of Ukraine during Croagh Patrick climb
The charity drive was organised by veteran broadcaster Charlie, who was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, and raised more than €2million for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
And like many that set off on the trek, Tubridy, who arrived late after presenting the Late Late Show in Dublin just hours before, says he suffered a few slips along the way as he scaled the rocky Mayo mountain with just four hours sleep.
He said: “There was a part of it with brittle stones and rocks and that was tough. I would like to thank a number of people, I slipped down through the rocks and landed on, you just landed on people, thankfully there’s not a whole heap of me to land on anyone so I don’t think I caused them any physical pain.”
Tubridy added jokingly: “Maybe psychological scars.”
He said: “You were a great help, and it was a joy. I think I met people from every county in Ireland in that country.”
The broadcaster, who was also spotted helping others who suffered falls along the way, added that he’ll never forget the “spiritual” event, or the scenes of love and community he witnessed along the way.
Tubridy said: “We did photographs up and down the mountain, and I saw people falling.
“It was almost biblical and other people would go and give them a hand. There was a lovely sense of community, humans at their best, Ireland at its most gorgeous.
“I’ve never felt or seen anything like it in my life.”
The father-of-two went on to describe it as a weekend he’ll never forget, following a jam-packed Late Late Show on Friday night that saw him perform a duet with Michael Buble.
He told listeners on his RTE Radio One programme yesterday: “It was an extremely hectic weekend and an extremely beautiful weekend.
“It was a weekend like I’ve never had before in my life to be honest with you.
“We finished the Late Late Show on Friday which in itself was a bizarre mountain to climb... there was a lot of pressure trying to sing with Michael Buble..that was a whole heap of fun, he is a very nice fella.
“Siobhan McSweeney was also tremendous company.
“We had chats with the great Barry McGuigan who I’ve also grown quite fond of, and I hope he wouldn’t mind me saying so quite close to in recent years. And myself and Barry made our way to Mayo on Saturday morning with Danielle, my friend and colleague. And there was something very beautiful happening on Croagh Patrick on Saturday. Everywhere I looked I saw joy, and happiness, and I saw a lot of tears and a lot of love.
“I’m not really a religious guy, but I can see what Charlie Bird meant when he said he has become more spiritual because there is something about the Reek – it is a special place.”
Reflecting on the event, he added: “Charlie cried and cried and cried. But he was crying happy tears. He was overwhelmed by the enormity of it, it was such an achievement.
“Charlie, mission accomplished.”
Read more: Charlie Bird's fundraiser climbs to over €1 million as people around country join in
Read more: RTE Late Late Show viewers 'bawling' and in awe of 'inspirational' Charlie Bird
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