Longford volunteers to set off on 670km charity cycle

Volunteers are gearing up to cycle the length of the country to raise funds for Longford-based national charity, Cian’s Kennels.

Cian’s Kennels is the only registered national charity based in Longford. The charity brings pets closer to sick children and their families at CHI Crumlin (formerly Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children at Crumlin).

The team of volunteers are cycling for six days from Mizen Head to Malin Head, starting in Mizen on Sunday, September 17 and finishing in Malin Head on Friday, September 22.
The team will be in Longford on Wednesday, September 20 and will host a lunchtime pit-stop at Sherpack Ltd, Templemichael Business Park – and all are welcome.

DEDICATIONS

This time around, the fundraising cycle - which was first held pre-covid - will remember a number of special people.
Day one, from Mizen Head to Killarney, will be dedicated to the memory of Cliodhna Barret Murphy from Cork, who lost her brave battle with Ewing’s sarcoma at the tender age of 16.
Day two, from Killarney to Limerick is dedicated to well-loved Longford man Donal Considine, who passed away suddenly in 2019, and is sorely missed by his family and many friends.
Day three, from Limerick to Athlone will be dedicated to the memory of James Magan, Killashee – who died at just 16 years old, four years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Day four, Athlone to Sligo via Longford, is dedicated to Leah Sheridan, Ardagh / Newtownforbes. Leah is the daughter of cycle sponsor Derek Sheridan of Sherpack Limited. The popular and sporty teenager, who Derek described as his ‘very own little Shirley Temple,’ died in September 2021.

Day five, from Sligo to Letterkenny, is dedicated to the memory of proud Longford woman and doting mother-of-two, Dearbhla Cox (nee Considine), who lost her brave battle with cancer in 2018.
Day six, from Letterkenny to Malin Head is dedicated to Cian Neary, Killashee who died in 2019. Cian’s legacy is the wonderful charity Cian’s Kennels, established by his heartbroken parents in a bid to bring a little happiness and comfort to sick children and their families.

LONGFORD PIT STOP

If you’d like to show your support, please come along to Sherpack Ltd, Templemichael Business Park, Longford (Eircode N39 K721) at around 12.30pm on Wednesday, September 20 where the team will be marking the half-way point in their journey.

The cyclists will travel through the town around 11.45am, and are asking the public and business owners along the route to come out and cheer them along!
The group will travel down Earl Street and Ballymahon Street and along Dublin Street, out the Ballinalee Road to Sherpack Ltd.

Get Involved!

You can get involved by joining the cycle for one day (or the full trip) – visit www.cianskennels.ie for details.
All donations are greatly appreciated, and will help to make a real difference in the lives of sick children and their families across Ireland.

You can also keep up to date with the cycle in real time by following @mizentomalin23 on Instagram, or 'Mizen to Malin in aid of Cian's Kennels' on Facebook where the team will be sharing the entire journey!