Retired RTE broadcaster Charlie Bird said he was "truly humbled" by the support he has received after he and his fellow climbers reached the summit of Croagh Patrick earlier today.
As part of a fundraiser for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta, Charlie was joined by hundreds of hikers.
Also taking part were his celebrity friends including former President Mary McAleese, country singer Daniel O'Donnell, Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald, architect Dermot Bannon and RTÉ broadcaster Ryan Tubridy as they reached the summit shortly before 12.30pm.
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Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people are also taking part in almost 200 separate 'Climb with Charlie' fundraisers across Ireland, the US, South Africa, Australia and Spain.
The climb started at 9.30am from the car park at the bottom of Croagh Patrick, with Charlie Bird setting off at around 10.30am
He went on to thank people all across the country for their support throughout this journey.
He said: "All of the generous donations will go to the two charities which are so close to my heart."
Once at the summit, he made a speech to his supporters.
Charlie also lit five candles, including one for his good friend Vicky Phelan, one for everyone suffering a terminal illness, one for everyone in a dark place with their mental health, one for everyone involved in the fight against Covid and one for the people of Ukraine.
The veteran broadcaster is now using a an app created by Irish company Marino Software that allows him to type what he wants to say and repeats it aloud in a cloned version of his own voice.
Speaking after the climb, Charlie Bird said: "I am truly humbled and inspired that so many thousands of people took part in Climb with Charlie events across the world.
"Our campaign is still accepting donations on www.climbwithcharlie.ie and I would urge everyone to donate what they can to support the amazing work the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta do on a daily basis."
Charlie also thanked the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána, Mayo Mountain Rescue, the Order of Malta and local volunteers for making the climb possible.
On RTE's Late Late Show on Friday night, Charlie spoke to Ryan Tubridy from Westport in Mayo via video link and delivered a special message to the Irish people using voice technology.
He said: "We are all gathered here in Westport for what I believe will be an amazing day not just on Croagh Patrick but in over 200 places around Ireland and in many parts of the world.
"This I hope is going to turn into a national day of celebration. And who am I blaming for this? Yes, you Ryan.
"Ryan, you asked me before Christmas what were my wishes and I said off the top of my head I wanted to climb Croagh Patrick with some of my RTE colleagues.
"What has happened over the past three months has blown me away."
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