Up to 10,000 cyclists are taking part in the 34th Ring of Kerry charity cycle, the country’s biggest single day fundraising event and one of the biggest cycle events anywhere.
The official start to the 180km journey, raising the Kerry Flag, was performed by Colm “Gooch” Cooper with 10-year-old Amy O’Connor from Killarney and Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan who flew from Melbourne, Australia, to take part for the first time.
Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne and mayor of Killarney Niall Kelleher were in attendance.
A minute’s silence was taken for local woman Annette Mannix and all eleven cyclists killed on Irish roads this year. Road closures are in place along the N71 and N72 and Sneem to Moll’s Gap route and a major traffic operation is underway overseen by the Garda helicopter.
At a seminar preceding the event, O’Sullivan spoke of the importance of cycling as “a social activity” as well as a fitness activity. “It is a good way to get exercise, but it is also a very social activity,” said O’Sullivan who has taken up cycling in Australia.
As a driver she said she was more aware now of the need to watch out for cyclists having taken up the sport herself.
Thousands of stickers by local newspaper Kerry's Eye and road signs have been distributed in the weeks prior to the cycle and the signs have been erected by Kerry County Council.
Organiser of the seminar, in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital, former minister for sport Jimmy Deenihan appealed to employers to make their cyclists aware of the of their responsibility on the road.
“There’s a huge advantage in promoting corporate fitness – healthy employees stay longer and stay working longer. Cycling has huge popularity now but it brings with it responsibility.” Former taoiseach Enda Kenny is among those taking part.