Sean Dunne Memorial Cycle raises over €3,200 for Carlow/ Kilkenny Palliative Care

Over 200 cyclists participated in the annual Sean Dunne Memorial Cycle last Saturday in aid of Carlow/ Kilkenny Palliative Care, raising over €3,200 to help provide palliative care to cancer patients at home in the region.

Since its inception in 2015, this fantastic event has grown year on year, and to date has now raised over €20,000 for local beneficiaries. The cycle, sponsored by Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny was founded by former Newpark employee, Jimmy Dunne in memory of his father Sean Dunne who sadly passed away in May 2015 from lung cancer at the age of 54, after being diagnosed the previous July.

Cyclists had the choice of two route options, 50km or 100km. The first group of approximately 150 cyclists was led off on the 100km route by event organiser Jimmy, leaving the Newpark Hotel and travelling through Freshford, onto Castlecomer, up into Carlow, and back to Kilkenny through Bagenalstown, finishing back at the hotel. The 50km participants set out shortly after with local cyclist, Tommy Lanigan leading the remaining cyclists on a route through Freshford, Ballyragget, onto Castlecomer, and back to the hotel.

Weather conditions on the day were perfect with temperatures around 18 degrees and little or no breeze until the final leg of the journey where cyclists had the help of a light breeze from Castlecomer into Kilkenny.

Everyone arrived safely back at Newpark Hotel where they were served a Summer BBQ by the team at the hotel. Speaking at the BBQ, Jimmy Dunne said “I’d like to thank everyone who made today’s Sean Dunne Memorial Cycle such a success. It was great to see such a fantastic turnout of participants for our two route options. Thanks must also go to our two motor cyclists, two ambulance crews and stewards, who supported cyclists along the route. A special mention must go to our event sponsor, Newpark Hotel, who facilitated the event – especially General Manager Mark Dunne for his kind hospitality and this wonderful BBQ; and Daniel McDaid, Manager of the hotel’s Escape Health Club & Spa who managed our registration desk this morning.”

Speaking about Newpark Hotel’s sponsorship of the charity cycle, Mark Dunne, General Manager of Newpark Hotel said “We were delighted to once again lend our support to the Sean Dunne Memorial Cycle which has raised a phenomenal amount to help those in need of palliative care in Kilkenny and Carlow. I would like to congratulate all those who turned out to lend their support to this fantastic event.