Offaly firefighter completes 360km charity cycle

Clara firefighter Philip Keegan has described his recent 360km charity cycle as one of the toughest, but most rewarding things he has ever done.

Philip, who is well known for organising and taking part in physical challenges, is the station officer at Clara fire station. He was one of a number of Irish firefighters who recently took part in a charity cycle, alongside a number of firefighters from the New York fire department.

The cycle went from Dublin to Kinsale, finishing at the 9/11 remembrance garden in the county Cork town, on September 11. The garden has 343 trees planted, one for each of the 343 FDNY firefighters who died on 9/11. Following a reception at the American embassy, the cycle travelled over 3 days, stopping overnight in Gorey and Dungarvan. It raised funds for Aoibheann's Pink Tie (the children's cancer charity) in Ireland and the Firefighters 9/11 fund in America.

In a twist of fate, along the way Philip met with one of the New York members, Brian Kelleher, who has a number of relatives in Clara. Brian is related to the Hall family, one of whom lives 2 doors away from Philip.

Speaking about the cycle Philip said that it was difficult on two levels. He said, "The Cycle itself was hard on the body, but thinking about the charities, children with cancer and fallen firefighters was equally tough on the mind". Having said that, Philip hopes it will become an annual event and says if it does he can't wait for next year.