UNSUNG HEROES REMEMBER CHERISHED EMILY

THE sun was shining on Saturday morning as the Kerry Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) hosted the inaugural Unsung Hero Charity Cycle at Ballyseedy Home and Garden Centre in Tralee.

The cycle marked the official announcement of the partnership between Tour De Munster and the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland as the main beneficiary of the 2018 Tour de Munster Charity Cycle, which has raised over €2.5 million for its beneficiaries since its inception in 2001 and takes place every August.

The Unsung Hero cycle paid homage to renowned explorer Tom Crean while remembering the memory of DSI Kerry member Emily Keohane, who sadly passed away last year. Emily and her father John had been involved in the Tour de Munster for many years and it was a special day on Saturday as Emily and her contributions were remembered.

The 75km cycle kicked off at 10am from Ballyseedy Home and Garden Centre and headed west with cyclists stopping off along the way at Tom Crean’s bar in Annascaul, The South Pole Inn, where they re-fuelled on refreshments before they returned to the Garden Centre again at around 3pm.

For those who did choose to cycle on the day, Ballyseedy Home and Garden Centre and DSI Kerry hosted a fun filled day of family entertainment and food for everyone to enjoy on both the Saturday and Sunday.

A host of sporting stars including former Irish rugby player David Wallace and football stars Aidan O’Mahony, Daniel Bohan, Kieran Donaghy, Killian Young, David Moran, Ronan Shanahan and Barry John Keane were also in attendance on the day.

Rachel and Peggy Fitzgerald with Noel, Katie, Aisling and Lucy Dillon having a great day at the Kerry Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland Open Day at Ballyseedy Garden Centre.

Volunteers at the Down Sydrome Open Day at Ballyseedy Garden centre on Saturday. Pictured are Eileen Lee, Maisie McCarthy, Sorcha Deaney and Patricia Griffin.

Some of the Killarney Cycling team who completed the ‘Unsung Hero Cycle’ for the Kerry Branch of Down Sydrome Ireland at Ballyseedy Garden Centre on Saturday.

Cyclists Leanne and Dan McCarthy who arrived back at Ballyseedy Garden Centre on Saturday were greeted by volunteers Madeleine Doyle and Jessica Power of the Kerry Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland.

ABOVE: Aidan and Denise O’Mahony with their daughter Lucia at the Unsung Hero Charity Cycle at Ballyseedy Garden Centre on Saturday.

Aidan Scanlon, John L McElligott, Donnacha Clifford and John Cosapeo pictured at the cycle on Saturday.

ABOVE: Freya O’Connell having her face painted on Saturday by Nadine Rider at the Down Syndrome Kerry Branch open Day at Ballyseedy Garden Centre.