On 30th September 2019 a team of over 46 men and women embarked on a bike ride from The Claddagh Ring in North London, cycling up to Liverpool and across the Irish sea to Dublin where they where joined by 17 more Bike Riders from Croke Park on Friday morning at 8.30am and on to their final destination in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

They arrived in Ballaghaderreen GAA grounds at 6.30pm, where they were welcomed back by hundreds of people showing there support,with bonfires lit all the way from Creggs.

We will continue to raise much needed funds for two great causes until our presentation night which will be held in The Claddagh Ring Pub, Hendon on Saturday 23rd November with the famous YB SOBER band.

It’s was a daunting task even for the most accomplished cyclists, so what has inspired a group of novices to embark on such a challenge? Well, as it so often happens, the group have come together to support two causes that are close to their hearts; Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

Anyone who has been touched by either of these diseases knows only too well the impact they can have not only on the person suffering with the disease, but on the whole family and those closest to them. Both are diseases that affect the brain, MND is caused by a problem with motor neurone cells in the brain and nerves, and AD is thought to be caused by abnormal build-up of proteins in and around the brain cells. .

Both of the diseases are progressive and require professional care and treatment. Sadly, there’s no cure for either MND or AD yet, but with your help the bikers want to help improve the quality of life for those with MND or AD and the level of support that their families receive.

They’ve a hefty goal of raising at least £100,000 that will help provide vital funding for the IMNDA and support the Alzheimer’s Society. You can support this worthy cause by making a donation to Just Giving, London to Ballaghderreen bike Ride, Sponsoring one of the Team individual sponsor sheets or just popping in to The Claddagh Ring .

The route has been chosen as Frank Kelly (Finbars brother in law) passed away from MND on 30th Oct 2017 having lived in Ballaghaderreen all his life. He was a true family man, friend, the local postman and a huge part of Ballaghaderreen GAA both as a player and Manager.

Joe Lynch who passed away recently from Alzheimer’s lived in Enfield and was from Wexford. Joe was another true family man, friend and was manager and Chairman of Saint Theresa’s GAA Club in North London for many years. Joe actually cycled to Ireland with some of the present team 27 years ago which also started at The Claddagh Ring.

There is a great bond of friendship and team spirit building within the whole team. We are now on our last stage off this fun funding bike journey, and we are just hoping to raise as much money as possible for these worthy causes.

The Bike Team is led by Liam McCarthy (Kerry/London) John Gavigan (London,Mayo,Leitrim,Sligo !)John McGrath (Mayo/London) Dan McGrath (Mayo / London) Brendan Dolan (Galway / Claddagh Ring) Con Cunningham (Galway/ Birmingham) Joe Argue (Cavan / Birmingham) Christy and Rose Murray (Meath/ Kilkenny) Peter Holian (Galway) Niall Usher (Galway) Fr.Gerard Quirke (Galway), Ailish Connolly (Claddagh Ring / Roscommon) Richard Hession (Claddagh Ring / Galway), Joseph Laporte (The Seychelles / Claddagh Ring), Pat Towey (Ballaghaderreen)Paul McAlloon (Tyrone) Brian Carr (Galway) Aisling Hillary (Galway)Orla Hillary (Galway)Finbarr O'Shea (Clare) Seamus McNabb (New York/Tyrone) Niall Farrell (Fermanagh/London) Peter Kelly ( Brusna/Ballaghaderreen), Pádraig Mulligan (Ballaghaderreen), Paul Casey (Ballaghaderreen), John Beirne (Ballaghaderreen)Pat McHugh (New York/Galway),Declan McGarry (Ballaghaderreen) Declan Burke (Galway/London) Finbar Holian (Claddagh Ring/Galway)

Dublin to Ballaghaderreen Bike Team are led by Barry Kelly (Ballaghaderreen) Aidan Geraghty (Galway) , Pat O'Grady (Ballaghaderreen), Pat Philips (Ballaghaderreen), Regina Casey (Ballaghaderreen), Martin Coyle (Ballaghaderreen), Gary Conway (Ballaghaderreen)Mark Kilgallon (Ballaghaderreen),Tom Coleman (Sligo)Tom Ryder (Galway) Pete Nicklin (Dunmore/Stoke on Trent) Fr. Fergal Cunnane (Dunmore,Galway),John Connelly (Galway) John Bligh (Roscommon) Michael Coll (Roscommon)

The Support /Sub Team is led by Pat Denning (Enfield/Cavan) John Bresnahan (Tyrone) Sean Mulvey (Leitrim/London) Arthur Boyhan (Kildare/London) Shane O'Sullivan (kerry/London) Marie Dillon (Galway/London) Bernie Harrington (Roscommon) Nuala Bresnahan (Claddagh Ring/ Tyrone) Gráinne McSweeney (Clare) Bob Burke (Galway/London)Danny McAuley (Antrim) Paul Kelly (London) Sophie McKay (Nottingham) Dave Bowens (Claddagh Ring/Galway) and Gerardine Holian (Claddagh Ring/Galway)

Hopefully you can support by sponsoring them individually through their own Sponsor Forms, or by sending money to Just Giving, London to Ballaghaderreen Bike Ride.

Thank you from each and every one of us.

London to Ballaghaderreen Bike Team