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Punters pack out pub for host’s Late Late debut… but manager gives away £600 in free drinks
The Dundrum Inn, which the show cut to live, promised punters a free tipple every time the comedian mentioned the name of the village on his first outing as Ryan Tubridy’s replacement.
After teasing patrons several times, he ended up saying Dundrum 12 times during Friday night’s show, leaving the inn to foot a bar tab of £588.65p for 124 pints and shots.
Patrick Kielty on the Late Late Show with, from left, Hector O hEochagain, Laurita Blewitt and Tommy Tiernan (Picture by Andres Poveda)
Manager Tom Doak (61) said: “We had the show on and he just kept saying ‘Co Down’ because he knew about the offer. He kept avoiding it and everybody was wondering ‘When are we going to get our free drinks?’
“The atmosphere was electric, an absolutely fantastic night. It was standing room only, a hell of a sight busier than we’d be on a normal Friday.
“They went mad when the broadcast came over to the bar. He’s a local lad and a lot of people here know him, so it was good to see.
“His family was in here — cousins and nephews, that sort of thing. A lot of the locals know him and I’ve met him a few times. When he comes home he normally comes in for a few drinks. He seems like a nice lad, just like the regulars really.
“I didn’t get to see much of it, but I think he did very well. When he first came on it was quite emotional for everyone. It seemed like he broke a wee bit and we all felt that.”
Tom showing off his Patrick Kielty drinks wheel (Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
One family member who was on hand to cheer him on at the Dundrum Inn was niece Catherine Kielty, who said: “We’re so happy for him. We know how much it means to him.
“There’s no one that deserves it more. We’re most excited about getting to watch him do what he does best every week. He’ll do a great job.”
Kielty had stellar guests for his debut, including former Irish president Mary McAleese and Republic of Ireland footballer James McLean.
The Wrexham winger revealed his daughter Willow-Ivy (6) being diagnosed with autism gave him the courage to get himself assessed.
Patrick Kielty’s first show as presenter went down a storm (Picture by Andres Poveda)
He said: “I was hesitant for a while about going, getting tested and getting a diagnosis because, obviously, the job I do, it would just be ammunition to give people.
“But I just thought ‘You know what? I’m doing this for my daughter. If it helps me get a better understanding of her [that’s great]’.
“I did the test and it came back that I’m also on the spectrum. I’m proud of it.”
McLean also addressed the constant abuse directed at him over his outspoken republicanism and his refusal to wear a poppy.
The 34-year-old labelled the British Army “terrorists” saying: “I grew up as a young lad in Derry with my beliefs. Just because I became a footballer in England doesn’t mean I’m going to change them.
“It’s quite funny actually because there’s two sides to that history, but over there [in England] there is an arrogance and ignorance, where they are taught one side of history.
“They speak about the IRA and this and that as terrorists. We look upon the British Army as terrorists as well because of what they inflicted in my home city and throughout the north of Ireland.
“They see themselves as quite superior to us. That has been the frustration for me. I understand their belief, but I don’t go around trying to push my beliefs on them.”
The Dundrum Inn (Credit: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX)
RTE’s director general Kevin Bakhurst described Kielty’s jokes about the crisis at the Irish state broadcaster as “great”.
The comedian joked about how often the Late Late Show had been in the news headlines in the four months it had been off air and also quipped about Ryan Tubridy’s appearance before a parliamentary committee to answer questions on the controversy.
One user on the social media platform X tagged Mr Bakhurst in a tweet suggesting he would not be happy with Kielty’s jokes about RTE.
The director general replied: “Actually thought they were great.”
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