Charity donations totalling more than €16.5k distributed amongst local charities and schools as 2020 event date announced.
Local charities and schools have benefitted from this year’s Ride Dingle cycle – organised by Dingle Cycling Club and Elite Event Management. Organisers were on hand in Dingle this week to present cheques to nominated charities including €7500 to Camphill Community Dingle. Plans have also been confirmed for the event to return on 25th April 2020, with registrations going on sale this August.
Various amounts were donated to other local charities including Dingle Tidy Towns, Cuan Counselling Service, Dingle Cliff and Coast Rescue, Dingle St Vincent de Paul, Camp Community Council and Donal Walsh Live Life Foundation.
Schools who benefitted also were Scoil an Fheirtearaigh, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Castlegregory National School and Scoil Naomh Eirc whose support in manning food stations along the route was instrumental to the day’s success.
The first ever Ride Dingle took place on Sunday 28th April 2019, across the Dingle Peninsula. More than 1400 cyclists took on Slea Head and the Conor Pass in what proved to be a challenging and fun day out.
Cyclists came from as far afield as Australia, the Cayman Islands and Japan to be part of the event. Cycle enthusiasts chose from two routes, a 55km route around Slea Head and a longer route of 120km which then continues on to Conor Pass and Annascaul via Camp and back in to Dingle.
Oliver Kirwan, Event Organiser said, “We were delighted to partner with Dingle Cycling Club for the first ever Ride Dingle and are grateful for the support of local businesses and organisations whose help went a long way in ensuring the event’s success. We are thrilled to donate €16,500 and give something back to the local charities and schools which I hope will help them continue with the excellent work they do for their local communities around the Dingle Peninsula.”
President of Dingle Cycling Club Paidí Fitzgerald, who in his role, has welcomed many participants said, “We were thrilled to be able to share what is one of the best routes in Ireland with so many groups and individuals and we look forward to welcoming new and past participants next year“.
Lucy Harvey of Camphill Dingle Community said, “We are very grateful to receive such a generous donation from the Ride Dingle event and it means that we can keep supporting people of all abilities to live, learn and fulfil meaningful roles within the Camphill Dingle Community. Our thanks to all involved.”
Organisers this week confirmed the event will return to Dingle on Saturday 25th April 2020. Tickets for the event will go on sale in early August 2019. Register your interest on the Facebook event page to keep up to date with all information https://www.facebook.com/events/1034465853409173/ or sign up to receive the Ride Dingle newsletter here https://ridedingle.com/newsletter/.
