Honda Run Turns its Attention to Castleisland Day Care Centre

Looking out for better weather before Sunday morning’s Honda Run in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy

All Bikes Great and Small before Sunday morning’s Honda Run in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Ready for Road: Den Joe O’Connor, Castleisland (left) pictured with: Richie Dunne, Kinsale; Finbar McCarthy, Crookstown and Kevin Wright, Kinsale before Sunday morning’s Honda Run in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy

David Osborn, Kilmallock arriving on his vintage motorcycle before Sunday morning’s Honda Run in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Honda Run supporters, Peter O’Connor, Castleisland (left) and Tadhg O’Leary, Ballymacelligott pictured at the gatherimng point for Sunday morning’s run in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Joan (left) and George Glover, Ballymacelligott pictured with Catriona O’Connor-Daly at the gatherimng point for Sunday morning’s annual Honda Run in aid, this year, of Castleisland Day Care Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy

I’m smiling- God Blast You! was Jim Griffin’s response to the semi-automatic prompt as he prepared for the start of the eighth annual Honda Run at Creamery Lane. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Bikers heading up Creamery Lane at the start of Sunday morning’s Honda Run in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Gary Horgan, Knocknagoshel (left) pictured with: Tom O’Sullivan, Tralee; Maurice McAuliffe, Knocknagoshel and John Browne, Ballyheigue enjoying the craic before Sunday morning’s Honda Run in aid of Castleisland Day Care Centre. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The counting of registration fees, donations and subscriptions is still ongoing in the wake of Sunday’s eighth annual Honda Bike Run and a cheque presentation night will be arranged as soon as that’s all in.

On a showery Sunday morning just after 11am up to 80 bikes of all makes, shapes and sizes and up to 80 riders of all makes, shapes and sizes left Castleisland Day Care Centre for the annual Honda Bike Run.

Honda Enthusiast

On the go every year since 2009, the charity run is the brainchild of College Road Honda enthusiast, Jim Griffin. The event was and is a memorial to Jim’s late brother John who died after an accident in August 2008.

Since the early years of the event, Jim has drawn a few close friends and relations around him to handle various aspect of the day. The clockwork running of the undertaking hasn’t changed and it won’t as long as Jim is involved.

It has acted as a fundraiser for the Castleisland branch of St. John of God for the first seven years of its existence.

Pledged Its Support

This year it has pledged its support to Castleisland Day Care Centre. The organisers will probably invite another local charity to apply for the proceeds of next year’s run – according to Jim.

Fellow enthusiasts from all over Munster and a handful from further afield began to arrive in Creamery Lane early on Sunday morning. A fantastic array of beautiful bikes began to appear from trailers and vans along the lane.

80 Mile Circuit

In the course of Sunday’s run the bikers and their back-up and outriders took in an approximate 80 mile circuit which took in places like: Tralee, Fenit, Ardfert, Ballyheigue and Kerry Head. There was a quick food break in Ballyheigue before they all headed back to Castleisland. Local barber, Pat Scannell then plied his trade on beards and heads to add to the funds for the cause. At the end of the day they all enjoyed a barbecue at the day care centre.

The cheque presentation to the ‘day centre’ management will wind up the affairs of Honda Run 2016.

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