THE South for Susan & Antoinette Cyclists have been making their way down through the country this week, arriving in Ennis on Wednesday afternoon and pulled out from Ballyea this Thursday morning.
The cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head is being completed as a fundraiser for Cancer Care West and Sláinte an Chláir. as well as commemorating Ballyea woman Susan O’Neill and Antoinette Pender of Quilty. In all the cyclists will cover some 600km.
Monday saw them cycle from Malin Head to Donegal Town, a journey of 120km, in quite good weather. Day two was Donegal to Claremorris and conditions were quite good until the last 20km, when they hit a patch of rain.
On Wednesday the cyclists went from Claremorris to Ballyea, while Thursday will be Ballyea to Blarney, with Friday’s final leg taking them to Mizen Head.
On the way down they were greeted in Oranmore by Cancer Care West CEO Richard Flaherty and its Fundraising Manager Dave O’Donnell.
The cyclists taking part include Susan’s husband Michael and her son Shane, Antoinette’s husband Jamesie, Marie, Claire and Sheila Haugh, Noel Keane, Liam Duggan, Michael Clancy, Jason Ryan, Stevie Malone and Martin O’Donoghue. They have been ably assisted by the back up crew of Bernie and Mike Cusack, Noel Howard, Tommy Haugh, and Susan O’Neill’s Daughters Michelle O’Looney and Tara Lynch.
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.