Dublin to Drimarone Charity Cycle set for fourth edition this August
Launching the event, Fergus McGroary acted as MC and thanked Rosemary and the staff of the Bluestack Centre for the refreshments provided
Eleven years on from the first event, the Dublin to Drimarone Charity Cycle will have its fourth edition this August with over 80 cyclists lined up for the event, which was launched in the Bluestack Centre, Drimarone.
Launching the event, Fergus McGroary acted as MC and thanked Rosemary and the staff of the Bluestack Centre for the refreshments provided.
Isobel Rodgers was there to represent the Donegal Hospice while Tara Faulkner and Phil Gallagher represented the Solace Centre. Both Isobel and Tara thanked the organisers for thinking of them as benefactors. James McGroary, one of the founders of Letterbarrow, spoke on behalf of the club and made particular reference to Fergus McGroary and Deirdre Meehan for taking on most of the work of organising the cycle.
In his address Fergus McGroary thanked all those who are providing the back-up for the event including main sponsors Kellys Toyota; Tony, Deirdre and Adrienne Byrne, Adastra Corporate clothing for T-shirts; Billy Kennedy for design; Rory Thomas Transport; Gavin Curran Coach Hire; Donegal Town Credit Union, John Grant and others.
“The last cycle was supposed to be our last but here we are and this is also a big year for Letterbarrow soccer club, being their 50th year. We have two founding members here in James McGroary and Peter Campbell and the club is now catering for 150 at underage level.
Isobel Rodgers outlined the work that Donegal Hospice are undertaking and the development work that is planned which will cost the charity €6m.
Tara Faulkner from Solace also addressed those present, outlining the work of the Centre, which was founded by the late Sr Magdalene.
“It was her wish that the service would continue and we are thankful for any help as we don’t receive any financial backing from the government,” she said.
Fergus McGroary said the goodwill behind the venture was shown by all those helping and they are doing so without looking for reward.
It was obvious that there is great camaraderie around the cycle which has been built up in the first three editions. Training is now starting and the 80+ participants have three months to be ready.
No doubt Folksy Gerry’s "The Shortest Road to Drimarone", written after the 2023 event, will get an airing a few times over the weekend.