Over 100 cyclists are making their way through Clare this lunchtime as part of the Tour de Munster charity cycle.
The annual event sees them take on more than 600km through the province and they’re back on the road after refuelling in Ennis.
From the Temple Gate Hotel, Clare FM’s James Mulhall has this report:
For the past 18 years, the Tour de Munster cycle has seen people from every corner of the province come on board to raise vital funds for a number of charities.
Over 2 million has been raised in total to date, with last year alone seeing close to 300,000 euro raised for Down Syndrome Ireland branches in Munster.
That organisation is their regular beneficiary now and the Tour de Munster is the main event they have each year to fund their work.
Chairman of Clare Down Syndrome John O’Reilly is cycling for his daughter Zoe and the other children here in Clare and says without this, they would have nothing:
Along with the money raised by each cyclist, the county branches of Down Syndrome Ireland will be out on the streets at each stage shaking their buckets.
Former professional cyclist Sean Kelly has been involved for a number of years.
He’s commending the volunteers who hop on their bikes to fundraise:
From Ennis, they are headed towards Kildysart and on to Killimer, where they will cross on the ferry to Tarbert, Co. Kerry and continue on to Tralee.
The mammoth cycle eventually finishes back in Cork, where it began two days ago, where they’ll come in to a heroes welcome.
Paul Sheridan is the organiser and founder of Tour de Munster and is appealing to people who come across them to give generously.
