Exceptional 9 year-old passes through Longford on his cycle for charity

Conan Woulfe a nine-year-old from Dublin is a currently cycling from Mayo to Dublin in support of St. Vincent de Paul.

As incredible as it is this is the fifth year in a row that Conan has done this fundraising cycle, having started when he was the very young age of five.

Last Thursday Conan and his father Donnchadh cycled through Longford and discussed how their journey has been so far.

“It’s our third day of cycling, we’ve done Westport to Swinford and then we did Swinford to Kilronan Castle and today we’ve just entered Longford at lunchtime today, so we’re in Clondra at the moment, we've had lunch here and we’re heading along the Greenway now,” said Donnchadh.

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“I started when I was five,” said Conan, when explaining the origins of the fundraiser. In their first year, the cycle was just a holiday for Conan and his family.

“In the middle of it we decided, oh, how about we raise money for St. Vinvent de Paul?

“And then we told everyone in the middle of the cycle and we raised €1000.”

Throughout the past five years, Conan has raised over €10,000 for charity.

Conan and Donnchadh are joined on this cycle alongside Conan’s younger brother Alby and his Grandad Tom, who inspired Conan to donate to SVP in the first place.

“Conan’s grandad has worked at St. Vincent de Paul for a long time, so we have that interest.”

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Throughout the past three days, Conan and Donnchadh have seen some of the most incredible places in the country.

When asked what their favourite part of the cycle has been so far Conan and Donnchadh replied, “Downhills”.

“You get to see a lovely part of the country as well,” says Donnchadh, “ And this is our gift year doing it and we’ve really seen a difference in the businesses that have grown up around the Greenway.”

“The first year we did it there was barely anywhere you could stop for a cup of tea along the way, whereas now there’s great food and restaurants and coffee shops along the way that have sprung up.”

In the three days they had been cycling Conan had raised €2800.

“We’ll be finishing up the cycle in Dublin at my school,” says Conan, “Last year they waited for me outside.

“And they all cheered you in” Donnchadh chimes in.

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“I nearly fell flat on my face before it,” joked Conan.

It’s a very comforting thing, that a nine-year old is so dedicated to fundraising for worthy causes, especially from the age of five.

Conan has some advice for anyone looking to get into charity work.

“I would just say do what works for them.”