A great turnout for Mick O’Regan memorial event

BIKERS from across the Munster region have come together to again prove that some good can come out of even the worst of tragic situations.

A convoy of motorcycles of all sizes and colours last Saturday took to the highways and byways of north Cork for the annual Mick O’Regan memorial run in aid of Pieta House.

What started out as a tribute to a “fallen colleague” following the passing of popular motorbike enthusiast Mick O’Regan in 2012 has grown into a movement that has brought together bikers each year to raise badly needed funds for the suicide and self-harm prevention centre.

Event co-organiser Bertie O’Regan said even the inclement weather could not dampen the enthusiasm of participants and the many spectators who lined the route to cheer on the cavalcade.

“The atmosphere was electric as the more than 250 participants gathered outside Kit Roche’s Bar in Buttevant for registration, with Brian Murray and No Warranty providing the perfect musical soundtrack to get the day started,” said Bertie.

Shortly after noon the convoy set out along the 135-mile route – which took in Coachford, Lissarda, Macroom, Millstreet, Kanturk, Newmarket, Freemount, Dromina and Mallow – before returning back to Buttevant for an evening of craic and music courtesy of the Keith Woodgate and Savage Cabbage.

“Yet again, it was another great turnout, particularly when you take into account the bad weather on the day, with bikers coming from far and wide to be part of this very special occasion,” said Bertie.

“Our volunteer collectors were kept busy as people donated to their buckets along the route, and we would like to thank everyone who put money in from the bottom of our hearts for their amazing generosity. We would also like to thank the collectors, stewards and all of those who contributed in any way to making the day such a great success,” he added.

Bertie said that once the money raised from the run had been tallied up it will be handed over to Pieta House at a special ceremony in Kit Roche’s next month.

Some of the more than 250 bikers that took part in the annual run as they passed through the Plaza in Mallow on Saturday afternoon.

Photo by Pakie O’Donoghue. A group of glamorous ladies about to go on collection duty as the Mick O’Regan Memorial Run made its way through Buttevant.

Some of the bikers who took part in last Saturday’s run, making their way through Mallow.

One of the many magnificent machines that took part in Mick O’Regan Memorial Run last Saturday.