BLACK TIE NIGHT TIES UP TOWN TO TOWN CYCLE
On Saturday night I headed for the Crowne Plaza where special black-tie ball was taking place to celebrate the finale of the Town to Town Cycle which took place between Dundalk and Tralee and saw 70 riders take part in the twoday charity fundraiser.
The event was the brainchild of Johnny McGailey and along with a crew of helpers and dedicated riders, helped to raise €43,000 for four different charities, Make A Wish, Anam Cara, SOSAD and North Louth Hospice. This was the fourth year the Town to Town had taken place. It ran over two days in August and was hugely successful. The black-tie event was the culmination of the fundraising and a night for everyone to enjoy.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Gerry and Jackie McArdle from Blackrock who were with daughter Chloe and boyfriend Eoin Farrell who said they have known Johnny well for years and were delighted to be there to support the fundraiser.
Next I got talking to Nicola Whelan from Louth Village representing Make A Wish and she was with her friend Louise Shannon from Kilcurry. Both ladies were looking extremely well and were ready to make a fantastic night of it.
I then headed over for a chat with videographer Mark Watson originally from Maynooth now hanging his lens-cap in Galway. He had immortalised the entire event and had recorded some promos for it too. He said it had been a great experience and was delighted he could help out his old mate Johnny.
Not too long later I got a word with Stephen and Evelyn Thornton from Blackrock who were with daughter Gillian and son-in-law Conor Hackett who had been actively involved with Conor cycling the distance and Gillian being a driver throughout the two days. Conor told me it had been a hard two days but the crack was good throughout and even though it had been his first time, it was also going to be his last because he had heard that the event won’t be run next year.
They were in the company of Gillian’s sisters Aoife and Niamh and Karen Hopper from Blackrock who were all looking well and even though they hadn’t taken part, their hearts were with all the cyclists!
Not too far away I got a word with Brian Fitzgerald from Charleville who was with Gavin Rackard from Wexford and Grainne Greene from Clare who hadn’t taken part in the cycle but were there to support their mate Johnny and were sure it was going to be an insane night.
Next I got a word with Eoin Connolly, Aoife Lucy, and Deirdre Kelly all from Castleknock in Dublin who told me they were up for their friend Michael Bishop one of the other founder members of the Town To Town run. They said their friend Aisling Farrell had also helped out and had now moved to Dundalk to be with Michael.
I then headed over for a word with Shauna McCann from Dublin Road and Bronagh McQuillan from Dromiskin who were looking radiant. The lads told me they were with Calum Rice from Roche and Shane O’Callaghan from Blackrock who are friends of Mark Gerraghty who had also taken part and they were looking forward to a totally mad night.
Just in the door and looking sharp were Neil and Theresa McGorrian from Blackrock who told me their son Mark and girlfriend Orla Loye had both taken part and they were all delighted to be there on the night.
After this I headed over for a word with Laura Farrell from Mullingar and Paddy McDonald from Wexford who told me they are seasoned campaigners and had been taking part since it’s inception four years ago and were really looking forward to the night with Johnny and the rest of the crew.
Next I had the pleasure of talking to Michael and Mary Geraghty from Blackrock. Their son Mark had taken part in the 440km cycle along with his girlfriend Eleanor Hoey from Rathmount and Michael had been on hand to help with the preparation for the event, organising and coaching the cyclists before the two-day event and they were really looking forward to the night.
Finally, I caught up with Michael and Lucy Bishop from Kilcurry who told me their son Michael and girlfriend Aisling Farrell were involved in the twoday event and they were there to support four very worthy causes.