Cycle for man ‘who kept south Kerry going’ returns

FOLLOWING on from its hugely successful 2017 staging, from which it raised more than €6,200 for the children of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust Group 135, the John O’Shea Memorial Cycle is set to return on March 18 – and every penny raised will go to the children of Group 135 ahead of their big trip to Lourdes at Easter.

The cycle commemorates John, who died in May 2016 and, in many ways, the event is a perfect tribute to the man, as his brother, Mike, has explained. John was well-known for his involvement with his community, including with Dromid Pearse’s GAA and local vintage clubs; he was previously described as someone who “kept south Kerry moving”.

But cycling was also his great passion and he was a stalwart of Killorglin Cycling Club whose members dreamt up the idea of holding a cycle in his honour. Taking to the roads of south Kerry, participants can choose either a 40-kilometre or 70-kilometre route, a perfect way to remember John.

It’s also apt that it raises funds for Group 135, given John’s extensive involvement with the group.

“It’ll start off from Ionad na Dromada, with registration taking place there from 10am ahead of the roll-off,” Mike O’Shea said of his brother’s cycle. “There’ll be refreshments at the Ionad beforehand and afterwards.

“There’s no set fee, just a minimum donation of €20, and as I say, every penny goes to the children of Group 135. We raised more than €6,200 last year, and I’d like to thank the brilliant effort that went into it by all the people who helped out in any way, as well as those who took part, unbelievable I think is the word. I’m sure that it will go very well again this year.”

For more information contact Mike at (087) 648 5623 or Eoin Ryan at (087) 282 1851, and Mike reminds those interested in participating who may not have a bike of their own, they can rent one from Eamon Casey’s bike store in Cahersiveen.

He added that helmets are compulsory and you must be a member of Cycling Ireland.

The late John O’Shea