The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
An open house welcome at Breen’s
IT’S no exaggeration to say the Breen household on the outskirts of Sneem Village is as important to cyclists of the Ring of Kerry as the Trevi Fountain is to tourists visiting Rome.
Since 1984 Betty and her husband Jack have been topping up thirsty cyclists with their own spring water and it’s a tradition that thankfully shows no sign of drying up.
“It’s really developed over the years and it’s a tradition first started by my mother-in-law when she used to set up a table at the front of the house serving cups of spring water to cyclists. Jack and I have carried on the tradition since 1984 when I even used to give out orange slices,” Betty said.
Breen’s is now a focal point for the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle and Betty said it’s lovely to see so many familiar faces return year on year. There is a steep and lengthy ascent in the road just beyond Breen’s house and I’m told this stop-off is more welcome than the first swallow of summer.
“I’d know a lot of them and they’d know me too at this stage. They love the spring water, but we need back up water too as the pump mightn’t stay going all day.”
Betty’s neighbour’s - the Casey’s - also help out and this will be a debut year for the Casey’s triplet boys as their sister has already put down nine years at Betty’s side replenishing cyclists.
“This will be the little boys’ first year helping and we also have other neighbours helping out. It’s a lovely day in the locality,” Betty added.
Betty explains that they must set up the tables nearer the house as it’s now too dangerous to set them by the road due to the sheer volume of cyclists. And she’ll be up at 6am laying them with snacks and water all ready for the cavalvade.
“Everthing is set up the night before and if the midges aren’t biting us we’ll keep going as late as we can.We have an open house and if someone wants a cup of tea we can do that too.”
Neither Betty or Jack have ever cycled the Ring of Kerry but feel this is their way of contributing to what Betty calls ‘a wonderful event’.
“It really is marvellous what it does for charities. They are great people. It’s our way of giving back and I’m very proud of that. I had my first cyclist here last year at 7.45am. She had a hearing and speech impediment but we were able to communicate in our own way as I have a bit of sign language. She was so delighted to have a cup of tea as the morning was a bit damp. Moments like that make it special.”
But with growing numbers also comes a need for increased safety and Marshals will man the approach road to Breen’s this year as cyclists need to be mindful that stopping in such large numbers requires safety and consideration.
“It’s great to have the Marshals watching the road as it needs to be done in a controlled way. Breen’s was always an open house, even before I lived here as it used to be a shop. We’re getting old now I suppose but hopefully the tradition will continue for many years yet.”