SHORT SUMMARY: Journeys are somehow always magical: the element of uncertainty that accompanies us on our trip, not knowing exactly what to expect, discovering an unknown reality that was, nevertheless, already there, letting the landscape catch us unawares, and being a
Full Article is below
Login to remove this Notice at the start of all News articles
|
FREE MONTHLY DRAWS for PRIZES
open only to
ALL EuropeanIrish Members
 
Registration is FREE, QUICK and EASY to do.
| Classic Irish Films to be WON |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Never Miss an Upcoming Irish Event nearby again
YOUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Find out in advance about
An Irish Festival just 100 km away,
an Irish Concert by your favourite artist –
 
A visiting Irish U16 or Senior Sports team – you can be there to support them
An Irish Studies Conference, and Irish Expats or Trade and Business Fair or Irish Network event you would like to attend.
Would you like to find out about these – beforehand or afterwards?
Become a valued member of EuropeanIrish today
WELCOME
|
FULL NEWS ARTICLE:
Journeys are somehow always magical: the element of uncertainty that accompanies us on our trip, not knowing exactly what to expect, discovering an unknown reality that was, nevertheless, already there, letting the landscape catch us unawares, and being able to be amazed by it, despite the years and our previous experiences. Yes, that is the essence of travelling.
Eugene O’Leary has cycled far. He has lots of reasons for doing so. We cannot forget that one does not travel just for the sake of travelling, but one always needs a reason to set out. Journeys always lead us somewhere. For good or for bad, there are no endless paths.
This time Eugene will travel from Faro (Portugal) to Howth (Co. Dublin), via Spain, France, England and Wales. His objective is to raise €20.000 to be used by the Medical and Research Foundation of Our Lady’s Children Hospital (Crumlin).
It was at this hospital where his own daughter Helen was treated for a congenital heart defect for many years and was fitted with a mechanical heart valve , and his 10 year old grandson Dylan, received successful chemotherapy treatment for a bone tumour at the back of his left eye". After Helen was transferred to an adult hospital, she passed away. She was just 19 years old. Perhaps there is no way of making up for the loss of those who escape from our helpless grasp. Those we saw being born and growing up and then passing away… those who we won’t see again. Eugene is 67 years old and has made the brave decision to fight in order to give other children the opportunity to live. That’s why he gets on his bike and undertakes crazy crusades (he calls himself ‘the crazy guy on a bike’). Ah, sweet madness! I wish we all were a bit crazier, a bit less sane, a bit more human.
This is not the first time he is cycling for this purpose. He has been able to fundraise up to €70.000 for the abovementioned foundation and hospital during trips taken to Durban (South Africa), Lake Balaton (Hungry), Flagstaff (Arizona), Niagara (Ontario); Monterey (California), Athens, Georgia. He had to cycle 100 km (62 miles) per day for 5 days for each of these challenges.
‘From Wednesday 14th. April to Wednesday 19th. May 2010 (35 days), I hope to cycle from Faro, Portugal, to Howth, Co. Dublin. Ireland, (via Spain France, England and Wales) and raise €20,000 in sponsorship for the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. I will be accompanied on the trip by Paul Rutledge from the U.S. Anybody else like to join in for all or part of the trip? The cycle will be self supported and self-funded so all sponsorship raised, without any deductions, will go directly to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital’.
Futher datails on the Spanish route here:
View Larger Map
|
