32 - IRELAND - 32 CYCLE

The Cycle Starts.

2006-08-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

The first day is a Prologue – a 40+ km sponsored cycle by a group of cyclists – from Tipperary through Bansha, Cahir and on to Clonmel. This is an opportunity for local cyclists to take part in this innovative event. Then on Sunday, Richard Walsh (a teacher in the Abbey School and a keen cyclist) will carry on the circuit through counties Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny and finish the day in Carlow. And so on, the route carries him up through Leinster, across Ulster, zig-zagging down through the counties of Connought and completing the circuit through Clare, Kerry, Cork and Limerick and on to journey’s end in Tipp town on Monday July 3rd. The detailed route has been planned and mapped out and totals just over 1400 km. Each day’s cycle is in the region of 140km being covered at a daily average of 23km/hr.
Providence is a school for very underprivileged children who for financial reasons cannot afford to go even to free schools.

The funds raised by 32 IRELAND 32 will go towards ensuring that the 5 qualified local teachers ( now in Providence School and totally committed to giving these marginalized children some opportunity in life) will be paid. Monthly pay works out at around Euro 80 each per teacher. Yes, Euro 80, not a misprint. To date it is a monthly chore for Br Steve to come by this money…always trusting in Providence. Providence is not only the name of the school; it also portrays the Edmund Rice aspect ………. if it’s God’s will that it (the school) will run, it will run.

Prologue: Sat June 24
Tipperary, Bansha, Cahir, Clonmel and overnight in Ballypatrick)

55 km 3 hrs 30 mins cycling time. Average speed 15.7 km / hr. Racer (BH)
The cycle, 32-IRELAND-32 started in Tipperary town at 3.20 pm with a prologue of 15 cyclists cycling from Tipperary to Ballypatrick, Clonmel (Slievenamuc to Slievenamon) with a short rest in the shadow of Cahir Castle to take on water before carrying on through the main thoroughfares of Clonmel. Met a number of friends and supporters at the Tesco Centre there as we rested. Then on to Ballypatrick on the southern slopes of Slievenamon, a hot shower, a tasty barbeque and the first overnight.

Day 1: Sun June 25

2006-08-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

Day 1: Sun June 25
Ballypatrick, Carrick, Kilmeaden,Waterford, Ballyhack, New Ross, Inistioge, Thomastown, Gowran, Goresbridge, Bagenalstown, Leighlinbridge and overnight in Carlow. (Counties Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow) 161 km 7 hrs 50 mins cycling time Average speed 20.3 km /hr Hybrid (Dawes)

On a quiet Sunday morning I commenced the solo section as I passed through Co Waterford (had a view of Mount Sion on the hill as I moved along the bypass on the southside of Waterford city. For Day 1 and 2 I had to carry my gear in panniers and that added to the energy needed. Crossed into Co Wexford on a quiet ferry and cycled northwards towards New Ross. Lunch in Inistioge on the banks of the Nore and then up through Gowran and into Co Carlow. At this stage a steady wind blew straight into my face and slowed me down a bit. Tried in vain to locate a licensed premises showing the Munster Final. Had to rely on regular phone calls for updates. Saw the final 20 minutes when I arrived at accommodation just north of Carlow. Disappointing result but a satisfying days cycle.

Day 2: Mon June 26

2006-08-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

Day 2: Mon June 26

Carlow, Stradbally, Vicarstown, Athy, Castledermot, Baltinglass, Blessington, Citywest, Tallaght, Rialto, Phoenix Park and overnight in Castleknock, Dublin ( Counties Laois, Kildare, Wicklow, Dublin)

148 km 6 hrs 45 mins cycling time Average speed 21.9 km / hr. Hybrid

Today was a zig-zag route to ensure at least 32 km in each county. Nice moving up through west Wicklow. Till the early afternoon the weather was pleasant except for the occassional headwind again, but then rain started soon after lunch-break in Blessington. Called in to Xilinx in Citywest to thank the staff for their generous contributions to the cause. Cycling through the city was no problem even with the rain.

Felt very tired and drained after the day, possibly compounded by the fact that I had failed to drink enough water. Met up with Margaret in Castleknock so I wouldn’t have to carry my gear from here on.

Day 3: Tue June 27

2006-08-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

Day 3: Tue June 27

Castleknock, Blanchardstown, Ashbourne, Duleek, Julianstown, Drogheda, Dunleer, Ardee, Kingscourt, Shercock, Coothill, Ballybay and overnight in Castleblayney (Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan, Monaghan)

156 km 7 hrs cycling time. Average speed 22.2 km/ hr Racer

An early start from Castleknock but going against the early morning traffic. Stopped in Bellewstown and met up with some of the Drogheda group who had also spent time in Providence School in Shillong. And a welcome cup of tea. Came across one irate driver in Drogheda…that doesn’t happen too often. Lunched on the wide Main Street of Kingscourt and then set off into drumlin country with plenty of lakes in the depressions. Early arrival in Castleblayney and no problem getting accommodation.

..with some of the Drogheda India group

Fine weather all day… not a sign of rain.

...and safely into Castleblayney.

Day 4: Wed June 28

2006-08-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

Day 4: Wed June 28

Castleblayney , Cullaville, Crossmaglen, Camlough, Newry, Banbridge, Lurgan, Moira, Glenavy, Antrim, Randalstown, Toome and overnight in Magherafelt. (Counties Armagh, Down, Antrim, Derry )

144 km 5 hrs 43 mins cycling time Average speed 24.9 km / hr Racer

Crossed over the border shortly after leaving Castleblayney and never noticed it. Cycled into Crossmaglen by the football field – everything still quiet at this hour of the morning. Newry was all at rest and in Banbridge the red-white-blue bunting and decorated archways for July 12 really caught my eye. Moving up the eastern side of Lough Neagh (but never visible) was effortless with a slight tailwind. Lunch in Antrim Town and them westwards and across the bridge at Toome to enter county Derry. Really enjoyed the assistance of the wind; made the best of it and saw very little evidence that I was in a different jurisdiction.

Day 5: Thurs June 29

2006-08-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

Day 5: Thurs June 29

Magherafelt, Draperstown, Greencastle, Gortin, Newtownstewart, Victoria Bridge, Clady, Castlefin, Stranorlar/Ballybofey, Barnesmore Gap, Donegal Town, Laghy, Pettigoe and overnight in Belleek
(Counties Derry, Tyrone, Donegal, Fermanagh)

171 km 8 hrs 20 mins cycling time Average speed 20.5 km / hr Hybrid

Reckoning that there would be some climbing today over the Sperrin Mountains, I opted for the Dawes hybrid with its lower gear ratios. Shortly after Draperstown I missed a turn to the right and was bemused for a while when expected villages didn’t appear.
I had planned to cycle down the Glenelly Valley to Plumbridge but by the time I realised my error there was no point in turning back…just made the best of where I was and met up with the B46 at Greencastle and turned right for Newtownstewart. The detour hadn’t resulted in any extra or fewer kilometres. In Gortin I had an interesting conversation with Telecom workers as I refuelled with Lucozade. Back over the border again at the bridge in Clady and hardly a sign to mark the passage. Lunch in Ballybofey and now I was facing into a wind as I entered Barnesmore Gap. In the narrowest part of the pass the wind was gale-force straight into my face; I was glad to get back out into the open country again. Just short of Donegal Town I turned south-east and headed for county Fermanagh which I entered at Pettigoe and cycled on towards Kesh. From here it was a straight line along Boa Island in Lower Lough Erne towards Beleek. Rain at this stage was torrential and blowing into my face. No point in changing or covering up with destination just up ahead. I was glad to have accommodation all organised and a hot shower waiting.

Day 6: Fri June 30

2006-08-06T13:08:00.000-07:00

Day 6: Fri June 30

Beleek , Garrison, Rossinver, Manorhamilton, Dromahair, Collooney, Tubbercurry, Charlestown, Knock Airport, Ballyhaunis, Castlerea, Ballymoe and overnight in Roscommon Town. (Counties Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon)
165 km 8 hrs 02 mins cycling time Average speed 20.5 km / hr Hybrid

Stayed with the hybrid today to deal with the hills at the start of the journey. Very peaceful especially on the shores of Lough Melvin. All of yesterdays rain had disappeared and I had a bone dry cycle all day. Near Collooney it was nice and homely to see a notice out for Wexford potatoes. At Ballynacarrow I had a read of the article about this cycle in The Irish Examiner. Hadn’t expected to pick up De Paper in this part of the country. Knock Airport was an opportunity for a rest but lunch was taken in Ballyhaunis. All hills had disappeared by this stage and it was open country …. all very nice provided the wind didn’t spoil everything. Evening-time and I cycled into Roscommon and accommodation was all organised in the centre of the town. Very kind and generous hosts too.

Day 7: Sat July 1

2006-08-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

Day 7: Sat July 1

Roscommon, Lanesboro, Ballymahon, Athlone, Farnagh, Ferbane, Cloghan, Taylor’s Cross, Banagher, Eyrecourt, Killimor, Loughrea, Gort and overnight in Kilmacduagh
(Counties Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Galway)

190 km 8 hrs 16 mins cycling time Average speed 23 km / hr Racer

This was a long day, longer than planned. With no adverse hills it was back to the BH racer. Back over the Shannon at Lanesboro and some lovely views of Lough Ree as I cycled down towards Athlone. No need to go right into the town; out on the main Dublin road for a while. The wide shoulder made my passage safe till I turned off at Farnagh and started into Offaly. At this stage signposts for Thurles and Nenagh appeared and so I felt I was nearing home again. But still along trek to go. Lunch with Margaret was in Banagher before I crossed back over the Shannon again near the marina. The plan was to overnight in Loughrea. But this was a Saturday and all local accommodation was booked up for a wedding. So Plan B was for me to move further along the route to Gort into tomorrow’s section (23 km). In Gort accommodation wasn’t forthcoming either (Just as well as all the local Brazilian population were out partying on the street with Brazil playing the World Cup semi-final that night.) There was an offer of B&B further on in Kilmacduagh in the shadow of the ancient monastic tower. Eventually I reached there after almost 200 km with my shoulders really paining me.

Day 8: Sun July 2

2006-08-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

Day 8: Sun July 2

Kilmacduagh, Shanaglish, Crusheen, Ennis, Kilmurray McMahon, Killimer, Tarbert, Ballylongford, Listowel, Duagh, Abbeyfeale, Mountcollins, Rockchapel, Newmarket and overnight in Kanturk
(Counties Clare, Kerry, Cork)

160 km 6 hrs 45 mins cycling time 23.6 km / hr Racer

After a good nights sleep the shoulders were fine again and ready for another long day. In fact it was the most enjoyable days cycle of the lot. After a few kilometres I was back on the main road and heading for Ennis. Got Mass in the Cathedral and the southwards for the ferry at Killimer. A lovely sunny morning and very little on the roads. Arrived at the ferry just as it was about to move off. A few short minutes and I was into county Kerry. A call from Tipp Mid West radio and a live interview just before I set off. A nice pleasant spin along the sea road into Tarbert and it was in Listowel that Margaret and I had a lovely lunch in the Square. Beautiful heat and sunshine. Carefree uneventful cycling across Kerry to enter Limerick just outside Abbeyfeale. Then up the Feale valley to Mountcollins and a lovely passage over the hills by Knockacummer and a glorious freewheel down into Newmarket where I had planned to overnight. Again accommodation was not forthcoming – a local funeral and the local festival that night would rule out the idea of staying somewhere alon the main street. Nothing for it but to cycle on to Kanturk …. a little off the proposed route but nothing serious. Nice comfortable lodgings found and a beautiful dinner.

Day 9: Mon July 3

2006-08-03T13:36:00.000-07:00

Day 9: Mon July 3
Kanturk, Buttevant,Charleville, Kilmallock, Bruff, Hospital, Knocklong, Emly and completing the route back in Tipperary.
( Counties Cork, Limerick, Tipperary)

90 km 4 hrs cycling ti me 22.5 km / hr Racer

No problems with the shoulders this morning and there was a definite spring in my step knowing that I had almost completed the challenge. Fair weather all day. ( I had been blessed throughout with good conditions – just two evenings of rain). From Buttevant on I was on familiar roads, roads I would have traversed many a time on weekend spins. Paused for a while in Kilmallock to drop in to one of the Abbey staff. From Kilmallock I started a detour to enable me to do the full 32 km in Co Limerick. In Knocklong I was joined by two of the Abbey staff who agreed to cycle with me for the last leg into Tipperary Town. Nice to have the company. Just on the outskirts of Tipperary I was joined by a number of other cyclists and we were escorted by a garda car up through the Main Street and arrived back at the Abbey at exactly 3.20 as predicted. Great to meet welcoming faces. A great sense of satisfaction.

TOTAL: 1440 km Total cycling time: 66 hrs 11 mins.

This was a solo-cycle with a one-car support but neither first-aid box, toolbox, spares box, repair kit or other emergency back-up were called into use. Not one puncture on this 900-mile trip. And considering the weather – the Lord must have been endorsing the undertaking of this task.

The cycle was undertaken to raise funds for Providence school, Shillong, India where the Abbey CBS students work during their period there. Funds raised (€18,000) will ensure that there will be teachers for the children in the school for the next two years.Sincerest thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the undertaking – by cycling, by supporting and by financial contributions.

LAUNCH

2006-08-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

MAY 24 (32 days prior to the cycle)
LAUNCH OF 32-IRELAND-32

On Wednesday, May 24, 32-IRELAND-32 was launched in Abbey CBS, Tipperary by Michael Babs Keating, Tipperary Hurling manager before guests that included students and teachers who had previously worked in India or are preparing to go there in October, representatives of the Board of Management and members of the media (television, radio and print.
In his address before officially launching the 32 county cycling tour Babs mentioned how he had been to a number of schools during the week speaking of his experiences of life and how indeed he had many between hurling, football, racing, rallying and in many other areas besides।

Through it all, he felt that the most important thing of all was happiness and contentment but that money and a new Merc outside the door didn’t necessarily guarantee those। However, he said, having good friends along the way was vital and that he was lucky to have good ones in all 32 counties that he could drop in on at any time.

He spoke how he had an appreciation of the need for the type of work that Abbey India Project does in north-east India। Babs had been to India many times over the last 20 years (to Bangalore, Madras and Bombay) and had seen first hand the various levels of hardship there. Plenty of hardship and poverty, but amazingly, everyone seemed to possess an extraordinary level of contentment. This contentment must be a gift from the Man above, Babs said, and in his experience it has a great effect on people who have been there and observed and reflected on this contentment in the middle of poverty. He felt sure that it would be so for the Abbey students who would travel and that parents should have no worries about it.He urged support for the effort. A couple of Euro might be nothing to us but could do so much out there, he remarked.

He referred to the way the Abbey was fully behind the project. He knew of how the school and the Christian Brothers had always been great supporters of Tipperary hurling over the years ever since he was a minor himself. Referring further to the Christian Brothers he spoke of how they had been such a positive influence on him during his school-days in the High School, Clonmel. Much criticism had been levelled at them over the last few years and indeed the last few days. Himself and his generation, he said, could not give enough praise to them and in his own experience to Brother Collins in particular both as regards hurling and life in general.

He thanked the Abbey for inviting him and then declared 32-IRELAND-32 to be officially on the road and wished it God’s speed.

Richard Walsh, Abbey India co-ordinator and the cyclist for the tour, then outlined how the whole event had developed about the number 32. Some of the connections were both interesting and uncanny. After giving a brief description of the route, he explained how it was undertaken to benefit the children of Providence School in Shillong and maintain the quality of education (academic and vocational) that would give them a ray of hope. Funds would be raised by the sponsorship of counties (Euro 320) and by means of sponsorship cards where donors would specify which county they like their amount to be set against. More information was available on the new website http://www.abbeyindia.com/

Finally, John Heffernan, the Abbey principal, spoke of how the Abbey India Project fitted in so much with the vision of Edmund Rice that the way out of poverty was through education. Since Richard Walsh started the project in 2000 so many in the school community were involved – students having been there and more preparing to go in October; his immediate predecessor, Michael Ryan, spending longer periods there and still more teachers becoming involved in 2006. He reassured all that the Abbey has a very active Third World dimension in the education provided to the students

Richard Walsh then presented the Tipperary manager with a handwoven Naga shawl from the warrior tribal people of north east India. He expressed the hope that Babs would lead the warriors of Tipp to All-Ireland glory.

Afterwards, those present enjoyed the refreshments hot and cold with a little cheese and wine and also literature on 32-IRELAND-32 was available to all.

32-IRELAND-32

2006-08-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

Richard Walsh, the cyclist is also co-ordinator of the Abbey India Project, which organises Abbey students to work in Providence School over a number of weeks every second year. Providence is a school for very underprivileged children who for financial reasons cannot afford to go even to free schools.

On Saturday June 24, 2006 (in Summer sunshine, hopefully) an unusual cycling circuit of the island of Ireland starts in front of the Abbey School in Tipperary town at 3.20 pm. The circuit will trace its way seamlessly through all 32 counties and will involve at least 32 kilometers within the confines of each (no short cuts).
The complete trip will finish on the following Monday week back in Tipperary at 3.20 pm.
Total Distance: 1400km Daily average distance: 140+ km

The first day is a Prologue – a 40 km sponsored cycle by a group of 32 cyclists – from Tipperary through Bansha, Cahir and on through Clonmel to Ballypatrick. This is an opportunity for local cyclists to take part in this innovative event
Why?
To cycle in itself is a pleasure, but extra fulfilling to feel that in doing so will be of assistance to the children in Providence: to Skembhor in his classwork, to Hamhi as he works in the cooking part of the vocational programme, to Leeban arriving smiling every morning after his 1 hour walk to school, to Alisha as she makes progress with her Maths and so on with all 106 children who are being given a ray of hope।

Route
24 June Tipperary-Clonmel (Prologue)
25 June Clonmel-Carlow
26 June Carlow- Castleknock
27 June Castleknock – Castleblayney।
28 June Castleblayney – Magherafelt
29 June Magherafelt – Beleek
30 June Beleek – Castlerea
1 July Castlerea - Loughrea
2 July Loughrea – Abbeyfeale
3 July Abbeyfeale – Tipperary