Blind Buncrana adventurer Jennifer Doherty cycling the length of Ireland
This latest adventure, which is being done as part of a major fundraiser for Irish Guide Dogs, marks a new chapter in a hugely impressive history of conquering challenges
Blind Inishowen adventurer Jennifer Doherty is setting off on the ride of a lifetime as she pedals from Mizen to Malin Head.
The cycle is being done as part of a major fundraiser for Irish Guide Dogs.
Jennifer, from Buncrana, the chairperson of the Donegal branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, will be saddling alongside her tandem pilot Donal McGuinness and fellow branch member Stephanie Darch.
The week-long journey begins in Cork on May 17 and they are scheduled to finish on May 23 at Malin Head, 24 miles from Jennifer’s home.
This latest adventure marks a new chapter in her hugely impressive history of conquering challenges.
The intrepid Buncrana woman, who was born blind, summited the world's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, last year, trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2022, and in 2023 she became the first blind person to conquer Ireland’s 7 Summits.
The trailblazer was recognised for her outstanding climbing achievements last year, as she picked up the Audience Choice Award at the Outsider Awards.
She was also nominated for the Local Women Sport Award by Local Women magazine last month, an award she never expected to be nominated for, but “it was a great surprise.”
Looking ahead to the trip and the prospect of finishing the journey by rolling into Inishowen, Jennifer says: “It’s exciting to be cycling through our town and past my house and finishing the cycle here. The support has been amazing so far, so I’m sure it will be good on the day too.”
“I used to cycle an old tandem I had with my brother-in-law Shane and we did the Inishowen 100 for guide dogs back in 2003. I haven’t been on a bike much since, up until the last six months. There’s a great freedom in cycling and going downhill is fun.”
Mizen2Malin Cycle Challenge has been running for more than 20 years and is the only charity cycle of its kind that is inclusive of visually-impaired people. Each year, Jennifer has been at the finish line cheering home the cyclists.
The daredevil half-heartedly always said she would do the challenge herself – and this year she will finally be pedaling home with the cyclists after being persuaded by Donal McGuinness to take part.
“Eamonn, the organiser, always asks if I’ll do it next year and I say yes with no real intentions of doing it. Last year, Donal was cycling it and when I met him after, he told me he’d be my tandem pilot if I could get a bike. I hoped he’d forget, but he asked again a few months later. I got the loan of a bike in Derry and I had no excuses then to start training.”
The challenging hills of Inishowen, including the notorious Mamore Gap, have provided the perfect training ground.
“I think I’ve cycled most of Inishowen now. It's great training and some of the hills are lethal! I trained sometimes with Donal but had to look for people to cycle with who live locally so I could get out more. Colm Maguire and Melissa Quigley volunteered and they’ve been a great help. I have an exercise bike in the house and go to the gym with Deborah, my PA. I’m not a fan of the gym but she keeps me motivated.”
Jennifer has benefited from guide dogs since she was 21, and now the Buncrana woman can't wait to repay the Irish Guide Dogs, who have “changed my life and given me independence, freedom and confidence that I never would have had before.”
She currently has ‘Quid’, a jet black Labrador, who is by her side in almost all aspects of life but will be sitting out this trip. Though Quid and her retired dog Sibyl will be at the finish line to welcome her home.
For Jennifer, who has been a tour de force in reaching summits in recent years, how does this challenge compare for her in comparison to other challenges?
“It’s very different because I don’t cycle regularly, so it's all a bit new. It will be tough, but not as hard on the body as being in altitude is. I’ll also have warm showers and hotels to stay in at night, which is luxury compared to tents and sleeping bags in Africa and Nepal.”
Donations to Jennifer’s Mizen2Malin Cycle can be made here.