Seventy-six cyclists pedalled an epic 180km from Galway City to Lisadobber near Ballyneale on Saturday, September 5 to raise funds for Ballyneale Community Field and the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
The Galway to Lisadobber Charity Cycle has so far raised €60,000 and €30,000 cheques were presented to the benefiting causes at Ballyneale Community Field barbecue last Saturday.
The cyclists, who raised the funds, hailed from the Ballyneale, Carrick-on-Suir and Grangemockler areas, and from as far as Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny and the US.
They departed from Aranmore Lodge Hotel at 7am and travelled to Tipperary via Portumna. They passed through Borrisoleigh, Thurles, Mullinahone and Grangemockler before finishing at Lisadobber after 6pm. Nigel Hanrahan, one of the organisers, said they were blessed with great weather throughout their journey.
A post-cycle barbecue and music entertainment were hosted for the cyclists at Lisadobber Pub at which medals were presented to all the participants.
It was an even sweeter occasion to relax for Nigel and 11 others, who did the cycle straight after completing the four-day Tour de Conamara.
Nigel paid tribute to the “great community spirit” of fellow Galway to Lisadobber Charity Cycle Committee members, all the cyclists and volunteers who helped out and all who donated money to the causes.
1. Galway to Lisadobber Cycle
Cyclists Eoin Ryan, his wife Alice Ryan and Margaret Hanrahan taking a break in Grangemockler during the 180km Galway to Lisadobber Charity Cycle | Anne Marie Magorrian
2. Galway to Lisadobber Cycle
Welcoming cyclists in Grangemockler were Declan Delahunty, Carrick; Arann Blanchfield, New York, his grandparents Marie and Noel Blanchfield, Ballyneale and their grandson Ethan Blanchfield also visiting from New York | Anne Marie Magorrian
3. Galway to Lisadobber Cycle
Members of the safety crew who accompanied the 76 cyclists who took part in the 180km Galway to Lisadobber Charity Cycle | Anne Marie Magorrian
4. Galway to Lisadobber Charity Cycle
Anna elle Fahy, Annie Norris and Tadhg Norris in Grangemockler to cheer on Grace Kehoe-Power, who cycled in memory of her late aunt Marie Fahey from Carrick-on-Suir, who was involved in cycle fundraisers | Anne Marie Magorrian