With two major, local cycling events looming on the horizon and hives of cyclists buzzing along every road around this and neighbouring parishes, the prospect of record participation in both looks real.
I’m reminded by PRO, Helen O’Connell that the St. Kieran’s GAA Club Tour of the Parishes is staring us in the face and will all happen on today week, Sunday, May 22nd with a 10am sharp start at Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club Grounds.
The Tom McCarthy’s Bar based Longest Day Charity Cycle and Climb is still over a month away. That’s down for the crack-of-dawn on Saturday, June 18th.
By the buzziness of the roads here, the miles are being clocked-up with both in mind. St. Kieran’s GAA Club members launched details of their Parish Tour 2016 away back in January. They were making preparations for one of their main fundraisers in the course of the year. At the launch, the May 22nd date for the big day must have seemed an age away – and it was – of course.
Not anymore. Now, May 22nd is just today week and all the road work will be put to the ultimate test.
Very Parochial
This is the club’s third annual Leisure Cycle Tour of the Parishes. And it’s very parochial. They cycle only in and through those parishes which form the St Kieran’s club catchment area.
The event will start at 10am sharp from Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club grounds. But registration will begin at 8am that morning and participants are advised to come early.
“Again this year many cyclists will be sporting the unique Divanes Castleisland / St. Kieran’s Cycling Jersey sponsored by S.Divane & Sons, Castleisland, Main Volkswagen dealer for Kerry since 1954,” said organising committee member, Jackie Brosnan.
“The strip was launched by Kerry senior team manager and VW Brand Ambassador, Eamonn Fitzmaurice ahead of last year’s tour.
“We’re delighted that Divanes have joined forces with us to support our club and to promote cycling as a healthy pastime,” said Mr. Brosnan.
Refreshments Along the Route
Refreshments will be available at the start and finish of the event at Desmond’s GAA Club grounds. There will also be a food/drink stop at Currow chuch square en-route.
The event will be stewarded by club members in conjunction Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue Group and the event will have garda backup at key locations. A closed circuit communications system will be in place on the day and will be supervised by Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue Group personnel. This will monitor and co-ordinate all stewarding.
The Tour will also be accompanied by a trained paramedic motorcyclist and a fully equipped Civil Defence ambulance and two trained personnel on the day.
All Parishes Taken In
We would like to thank the An Garda Siochána; local Civil Defence organization and Abbeyfeale Search and Rescue Group for their help and support.
The tour route will take in all seven ‘Saint Kieran’s parishes’ and these include: Castleisland, Ballymacelligott; Currow; Scartaglin; Cordal; Brosna and Knocknagoshel.
There will be a choice of two routes. A ‘Short Route’ of 45kms for leisure/novice cyclists and a more challenging ‘Long Route’ of 80kms for experienced cyclists. All details will be available on the revamped St. Kieran’s GAA Club website.
The Short Route = 45K
Both short and long routes will start at Desmond’s GAA grounds at 10am.
The short route will travel through Castleisland town to Ballycarthy Cross and left onto the old Farranfore road and onto the N22. Left in Farranfore village for Currow, right at Currow Church – where there will be a ‘Food Stop’ then left at Dromulton Cross, straight on at Davy Roche’s Cross, left at Breahig Cross on the Cordal road, right at traffic lights in Castleisland and finish at Desmond’s GAA Club.
The Long Route = 80K
The Long Route will travel through Castleisland town onto Ballycarthy Cross, left onto the old Farranfore Road and onto the N22. Left in Farranfore Village for Currow, right at Currow Church don’t forget the Food Stop. Then left at Dromulton Cross, straight on at Davy Roche’s Cross, left at Breahig Cross on the Cordal Road and right at ‘Hickey’s Grotto’ on the Cordal road. Then take a right at Kearney’s Cross onto the Brosna Road, left at Brosna Village Cross, left at ‘Patsy’s Cross, right at Feale’s Bridge, left at Kilconlea Cross onto N21, left at the Mick Galwey Roundabout (a former St. Kieran’s stalwart) and finish at Desmond’s GAA Club grounds. So! Get on your Bike for a fun day out for all ages.
