Tri-ing times for a worthy cause

TRI-ING their best to give something back, staff and leisure centre members from the Lady Gregory Hotel in Gort are entering three relay teams in this weekend’s Lough Cutra Castle Triathlon. For Michael O’Grady, well-known owner of the hotel, this will be his first competitive cycle. The 73-year-old is more of a golf man.
“I would always have been reasonably fit, especially for my age. I play golf and do a bit of walking but cycling was a new dimension for me in terms of getting fit. I volunteered for cycling because when I am away on holidays, I spend a bit of time cycling. I find at my age, it is easier on the joints than walking or running. Then my two neighbours volunteered with me,” he explained.
The three teams from the Lady Gregory are competing in aid of the Galway Hospice. Team one is hotel owner Michael O’Grady (cycling), Hannah Kelly from the hotel leisure club (running) and Sheila O’Halloran of the hotel staff (swimming). Team two is John Skehill, a retired guard and leisure club member (cycling), Stacy Wallington from the leisure club staff (running) and hotel duty manager Kate Galloway (swimming). Team three is retiree Kevin Mulkerrins who is a leisure club member (cycling), Mary Loughnane (running) and Thecla Bermingham from reservations (swimming).
“For me and my colleagues that are doing the cycle, we are out cycling every second day and doing circles around the area. One fellow John Skehill is so keen he is seen out on the bike morning and evening. We are trying to keep the mileage up so when the day comes we will be able to do it,” Michael outlined.
Gort is a great place to cycle, the prominent businessman noted.
“There are quite a few roads, side-roads or whatever, that you can cycle on without meeting much traffic. The circle at Lough Cutra drive with the view of the lake is beautiful and there are plenty of hills and hollows to test you out. Cycling is becoming very popular. When you are out you meet so many people cycling that we didn’t realise were at it, until we started ourselves,” he said.
Sunday’s triathlon is the inaugural event and up to 200 entrants are expected with over half of these from the UK. It will also feature a GB vs Ireland elite triathlon challenge and a carnival atmosphere.
“It is going to be a great weekend. The castle and the scenery around the lake is fantastic to come out and see. We are really encouraging people to come out and support us and to support Galway Hospice. We are doing this to raise money for Galway Hospice. Every family has been affected by cancer in some form or another. We said we would like to give something back and it was a challenge for ourselves to get reasonably fit and keep reasonably fit. Now I am appealing to all my friends and family in South Galway and Clare to donate by bringing something into the Lady Gregory Hotel and it will go to the hospice which badly needs it,” Michael said.
Lough Cutra Castle is the fifth venue to join the Markel Castle Triathlon Series which combines the challenge of triathlon racing with the culture and history of famous castles and their grounds. It includes three other castles in England and a chateau in France.