WRONG WAY ROUND BUT RIGHT RESULT FOR CHARITY

MAUREEN Cournane of the Killarney Cycling Festival this week presented a cheque of almost €1,200 to Fionnbar Walsh of the Donal Walsh #LiveLife foundation.

The third staging of the well-established cycling event took place in August and, as always, the surplus from the festival went to the Blennerville-based foundation.

“We increased our numbers once again this year, and I’m delighted we could do a little more for #LiveLife,” Maureen told The Kerryman.

“The Donal Walsh #Livelife Foundation was set up by his family to provide age-appropriate teenage facilities in hospitals and hospice centres, and promote his anti-suicide message; it’s an honour to support them.

“They’ve been with us since our first year and I’m delighted to say they’ll benefit again from the fourth Killarney Cycling Festival in August 2017.”

The 2017 staging is billed for August 26, and registration is already open at killarneycyclingfestival.com, with Early Bird prices still on offer.

The festival features two routes. The 160-kilometre ‘Wrong Way Round’ offers a twist on the traditional Ring of Kerry, taking in Moll’s Gap and the scenic southwest via Sneem.

The arduous 180-kilometre Hard Way is the tougher of the two challenges; it splits from The Wrong Way Round by taking a right Ballaghbeama, and taking in the Skellig Ring, before rejoining the main bunch on the road to Cahersiveen.

More information is available from killarneycyclingfestival.com, or by emailing info@killarneycyclingfestival. com.