The gates of Clifden and Connemara will be thrown wide open to RTE celebrity Ryan Tubridy when he receives the Golden Key at a ceremony this weekend.
The Connemara Chamber of Commerce will present the Golden Key to Tubridy, making him the first person to be awarded the freedom of Clifden and Connemara, at the ceremony which will be held in the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden on Saturday night.
The Connemara Chamber chose the Late Late Show and radio presenter as a worthy recipient due to the continual support he has given to Connemara and Clifden over the years. Tubridy has aired three programmes from the area in recent years, including a recent RTE Radio 1 show from Inishbofin as well as other programmes from Leenane and from Clifden. As well as showing his support the RTE star has been a regular and loyal visitor to the region.
A Golden Key is not the only thing that Tubridy will receive. If he had any sheep, well, there will be no more fretting about finding a place to put them, as he now has free grazing rights on the commonage of Clifden. He will also have free anchorage rights for life on Buttermilk Lake, free car parking and Roundstone turf, pototates from Dan O’Hara’s homestead, as well as free haircuts for life for himself and for any future grandchildren - so there will be no excuse to go back to RTE looking shabby.
The presentation of the Golden Key to Clifden and Connemara by the President of the Chamber of Commerce will take place at 7pm followed by a trip around the town of Clifden by a horse and trap led by bagpipes, giving the people of Clifden and Connemara the chance to give Tubridy a hearty welcome.
