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23 Oct 2025

Fr. Jack Gallagher Memorial Cycle set for this Sunday is raising money for Foyle Hospice

Set to take place from Faughanvale to Buncrana this Sunday

 Fr. Jack Gallagher Memorial Cycle

Andrew Barr preparing to take off on the Fr. Jack Gallagher Memorial Cycle

The annual Fr. Jack Gallagher Memorial Cycle is set to take place from Faughanvale to Buncrana on Sunday, August 4. 

Setting off from St. Annes Hall, Faughanvale, and finishing at The Drift Inn, Buncrana, the event is looking to raise money for the Foyle Hospice. 

The event has been running for over 40 years, with Andrew Barr and his wife Veronica picking up the mantle of organising it following the death of Fr. Gallagher in 1997 and the stepping away of Joe McLaughlin for health reasons in recent years. 

Mr. Barr said: “Roughly starting in 1983, it was a parish event involving the two ends of the parish, Faughanvale and Tamnaherin. 

“He would start mass over at Broadbridge at 9am and after the mass, everybody would gather on their bikes and head towards Buncrana, with a couple of pit stops along the way. Families from both ends of the parish were involved. 

“You would cycle down, have your refreshments, and cycle back up the road again.”

Mr. Barr and his wife would encourage anyone to take part in the event, as it is for the whole family. 

Despite cycling groups joining in with the event and cycling ahead of the main event, the 55-year-old stressed that it is not a race and that it is taken at a leisurely pace, stopping at Bridgend for a break and chat before heading to the final destination in Buncrana. 

He said: “If you want to push it and head straight to The Drift Inn directly, then it would take just over two hours to cycle.

“Meanwhile there are those that don’t cycle that just come down to support us and have a chinwag.

“It is great to see the crowds, with regulars every year, with it becoming a meeting point for many people that may not get to see each other regularly.”

The event raised £5,500 for the Foyle Hospice last year, which will help chip away at the £4 million it roughly takes to just run the hospice.

Synonymous with palliative care services and support across the North West, the Foyle Hospice has played an important part for many of the Derry population, including Mr. Barr. 

He said: “My mother passed away in the hospice 26 years ago.

“Every year I go down that road, there is a certain part of the road where I reminisce about her, and that helps to push me on. 

“The money raised from doing this cycle is always encouragement to keep doing this every year too, to help those suffering at the moment and going through the hospice.

“I love to see people coming together and enjoying the day's event. It gives me a satisfying and enjoyable feeling.”

The annual charity event has been an incredible success, and Mr. Barr has paid tribute to his wife, who is key to helping him publicise the event across all platforms, fundraising, and obtaining sponsors and donations for the auction held on the day. 

This year, one of the donations to be auctioned off is a bottle of Millennium Bushmills Whiskey.

Mr. Barr said: “We get a lot of sponsors with local businesses being incredibly generous, and I’m thankful for that.”

On Sunday, registration is open from 9.15 am, with the cycle beginning at 10 am. Everyone is welcome to participate in the event for £10. 

For more information, you can contact Mr. Bar at his mobile number: 07791760237.

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