Charlie Bird has celebrated the anniversary of his legendary climb up Croagh Patrick with a 5km walk in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.
The 73-year-old former RTE journalist was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2021, and on Saturday morning he led a gathering of supporters on a 5km walk in Phoenix Park, including Dermot Bannon who was the MC for the event. Charlie was joined by his wife Claire and their beloved dog Tiger, with charities like Pieta, Samaritans, the Irish Guide Dogs Society, Irish Wheelchair Association, Dogs Trust, and family members of the Stardust fire victims in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Dermot Bannon who joined Charlie on his climb up Croagh Patrick last year, described Charlie as an "inspiration" for his campaigning work following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease. He said: "This is coming up to the first anniversary of the Climb With Charlie campaign last year, this is what it's all about, just remembering that.
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"The event was open to the whole country and that's who turned up on the day, that's what the whole day was about. Nobody was excluded, everyone was invited. It was about solidarity, friendship, laughter, kindness, and chaos," said Dermot. He described it as "one of the most wonderful days" of his life, and that it made him "proud to be Irish."
Dermot said: "We all came together as a country to support Charlie but also to support each other. Charlie kept reiterating throughout the whole time we were up there that this is about people who are in a dark place, this is about people who are suffering and about us all coming together in solidarity with each other for whatever reason because there are lots of people who have very secret pain and they go through life.
"Charlie just wants to recognise that, it's not just the most obvious things, it's for everybody. Charlie chose to climb with people, to put in an effort and stand beside them. We were all with each other and together.
"It was an amazing experience last year and I'll never forget it for the rest of my life. I'm so thankful to have been a part of it and to be Irish," added Dermot. He urged people to "talk and listen " to others to help them through their struggles.
"This whole movement is about being there for each other. It's just being there for each other we can do amazing things. The amazing thing is that €3.6million has been raised and divided between Pieta House and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).
"None of this would have been possible without Charlie. He is an incredible inspiration to us all," added Dermot.
During the event, Charlie helped light candles in solidarity with others in Ireland and around the world who have a terminal illnesses. Chief executive of Pieta Stephanie Manahan also spoke at the event, praising Charlie for his hard work and support.
She said: "This time last year this incredible man led a movement across this nation, a movement that tapped into the spirit and the incredible generosity that is the Irish people. The beauty of why people support charity is not only because of their own personal experience but actually that they're willing to support somebody that they don't know.
"The impact of giving is that we are supporting the very people in society we do not know ourselves. It's the very giving gift of generosity that Charlie tapped into so beautifully last year.
"Look no further when you want to learn about what true leadership is, because a true leader is someone we are all willing to follow and that's what we have in Charlie," added Ms Manahan.
Also speaking during the event, Charlie's proud wife Claire thanked everyone for attending. She said: "A year and a half ago Charlie got diagnosed with MND, he is just the most courageous man I've ever come across in my life and I'm so honoured to be married to Charlie."
In his speech using his special voice bank, Charlie thanked everyone for turning up for the event to mark the anniversary of last year's climb up Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo which he said was a "most memorable day". He said: "All I wanted to do to mark the anniversary is very simple, I want to continue to extend the hand of friendship to people. In the church on the summit of Croagh Patrick on the day I lit five candles and that's what I want to do this morning.
"The first candle is in memory of the great Vicky Phelan who was and still is an inspiration for the people of Ireland. I am so honoured her sister and parents are with us this morning," said Charlie.
Charlie described his beloved pet dog Tiger as a "great support" through his journey, and he thanked his wife Claire for her support as his "carer and guiding spirit." Charlie also thanked President Michael D Higgins, who earlier lit a candle in support of the event at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Speaking to Dublin Live, Antoinette Keegan said that Charlie has been there for the Stardust families for over 40 years. She said: "He's always supported us and it means a lot for us to support him."
Speaking to Dublin Live, Vicky Phelan's parents John and Gaby lit a candle in her memory. Her dad John said: "We're here to support Charlie today, and we're coping quite well since Vicky's passing four months ago.
"We'd like to make a special thanks to everyone that supported us the last four months, we really appreciate it."
Charlie Bird is next set to lead a very special Hand of Friendship Walk for the Samaritans in Co Wicklow on April 6.
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