Ryan Tubridy revealed he took a few tumbles whilst climbing Croagh Patrick in support of his colleague 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.
The charity drive was organised by veteran RTÉ broadcaster Charlie, who was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, and raised more than €2 million for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
READ MORE: Ryan Tubridy stops to help injured girl during Climb with Charlie trek
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.
“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.
“Maybe psychological scars,” he went on to joke.
“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.
“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 singing sensation Michael Bublé.
“It was an extremely hectic weekend and an extremely beautiful weekend,” he said as he returned to the RTE Radio One airwaves on Monday morning.
“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 we got there..they left a little early, so myself and Barry had to do a little run for the first part. That was nice, no pressure trying to keep up with Barry McGuigan jogging up Croagh Patrick at all."
"It was fine, I got four hours sleep, I was great," he joked.
“Anyway we got there and we caught up with the gang.
“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.”
Charlie was joined on his climb up Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo by his nearest and dearest including his wife, Claire, and his daughters Orla and Neasa, as well as a star studded list of friends and fans including Daniel O’Donnell, Dermot Bannon, Baz Ashmawy, and RTE boss, Director General Dee Forbes.
Reflecting on the event, Tubs went on: “Charlie cried and cried and cried and I urged them there is a shoulder there if you need it. But he was crying happy tears. He was overwhelmed by the enormity of it, it was such an achievement.
“Charlie, mission accomplished.’
“Take a bow, it was a beautiful story.”
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