Buncrana gears up to welcome Tubridy

Hundreds of local people will be taking part in the radio show, will be broadcast live across Ireland on RTE Radio One from Market Square,

Ryan Tubridy will arrive in Buncrana with his crew as part of a series of shows being broadcast along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The popular TV and radio presenter had pledged to return to the area following the Buncrana Pier tragedy which claimed the lives of five members of the same Derry family on March 20.

He had confirmed the visit to Inishowen last month while asking listeners on air where they should visit along the west coast of the country.

“Someone suggested that we should go to Buncrana after all that has happened there recently and I can tell you we are definitely going to Buncrana,” said Tubridy.

The live broadcast will run from 9am to 10am, and local schools and arts organisations will be among those showcased to the nation.

The shows will showcase attractions and hotspots along the key route and is being seen as a prime opportunity to place local talent to a national audience and to let people know what the area has to offer visitors.

Angela Byrne, Interim Manager at Tourism Inishowen, who is helping organise the preparations, said they wanted to kick off the Wild Atlantic Way Road Show in style.

Ms Byrne said: “This is an opportunity to promote not just Buncrana but the whole peninsula.

“Ryan will be going on a four stop journey along the Wild Atlantic Way and our mission is to make sure Inishowen kicks this off with a bang and will be a hard act to follow. We want them to leave Inishowen with a strong, positive impression of the vibrancy of the cultural heritage and arts up here.”

Local schools expected to be taking part will include Scoil Íosagái’s Choir and Scoil Mhuire pupils will be wearing costumes from the carnival. Junk Couture will be showcasing their unique recycled costumes while local group Feel Good Fortnight will be decorating the area in advance.