July 3, 2021 will be bigger and better than ever

THOUGH this year may have seen the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle cancelled, preparations will continue into next year for an even bigger and better event

This year’s main charities will now be the chosen charities for 2021 instead.

Projects and plans that have to be postponed this year can come back in line in 2021 with the proceeds from the Ring of Kerry.

These charities include Ard Chúram Day Care Centre, Listowel; Banna Rescue; Breakthrough Cancer Research; Cúnamh Iveragh; Down Syndrome Ireland Kerry Branch; and St Francis’ Special School.

Following the cancellation of the event this year, cyclists were given the option of deferring their entry to the cycle for next year, and it is hoped that many will do so.

The committee looks forward to welcoming cyclists for an even bigger and better event for the 37th Ring of Kerry cycle, with the scheduled date set for July 3, 2021.

“We have to keep a positive note, and it will be bigger and better next year. We have our six charities for next year, so we have broken the back on the event for next year,” said Chairperson Bridget McGuire.

“It has never been stopped in its 36-year history before,” she added.

To date more than 3,000 cyclists had signed up for the event, and now they have to decide on their options.

Given the current pandemic and with many out of work, a refund is available.

However, any monies not refunded will be donated to the charities later this year.

The Ring of Kerry committee is hopeful that this will at least give the charities some funds for 2020.

In the interim, plans will move ahead with the 2021 event as soon as possible, and charities will be kept updated throughout the year on next year’s plans.

“The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle Committee look forward to welcoming all participants to Kerry for the 2021 event on Saturday, July 3, 2021, and we want to thank all current registrants, volunteers and charities for their ongoing support,” a statement read.

“We will be issuing further notifications in due course as to when registrations will open for 2021.”

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin. Daniel O’Connor, Patrick Daly, Darragh Buckley and Patrick O’Connor with Sean Hurley and Melanie O’Sullivan of Radio Kerry, Karena McCarthy and Dan McCarthy at the launch of the Radio Kerry Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle in Killarney.

All photos by Michelle Cooper Galvin. The Ring of Kerry Cycle 1984 which included (front) Con Healy with (far right) Teresa Looney, Irish Kidney Association Kerry Branch and (standing from left) Mick Ahern, Aengus O’Dongohue, Frank Neeson, John King, Seanie Brosnan, Dermot Galvin, Denis Geaney, Derry O’Mahoney, James Looney, Mossie Cremin, Anne and James O’Donoghue.

Tony Darmody, Kerry Parents and Friends Association; Eileen Collett, IWA; Roslyn Higgins, Recovery Haven; Emer Corridan, Kerry Stars Special Olympics; Karena McCarthy; Eilish O’Sullivan, Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre; and Sean Scally, Enable Ireland, in 2010.

Committee members Cathal Walshe, Karen McCarthy, Brendan Coffey, Padraig Tracey, Emma Philips and Tim O’Brien with the cheque for €1,890,820 at the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle 2015 presentation and dinner in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney.

Michael Moriarty, Celine Roche, Maria Reen, Eileen Crowley, Joan Foley, Audrey Moriarty, Robin Woodhatch, Marian McCann, Theresa Macci, Eilee O’Riordan, Sr Elizabeth, Joan O’Neill, Josephine Roger, Sally Cooper, Brid Crowley, Sheila Cahillane, Sr Joanne and Michael Moriarty from St Joseph’s Home Killorglin, volunteers at the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle 2016.