Taoiseach to join friends of Nicky McFadden Greenway Cycle

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, is coming to Mullingar on Saturday November 14, to cycle the entire 40km Mullingar to Athlone Greenway.

The Taoiseach is taking part in the ‘The Friends of Nicky McFadden Cycle’, launched on Monday evening at The Atrium in Mullingar by Longford/Westmeath Fine Gael TD, Gabrielle McFadden, and Rosemount paracyclist Declan Slevin.

The charity cycle, which will raise funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA), will start from Mullingar at 10am.

“Last year, we had the ‘The Friends of Nicky McFadden Walk’, an IMNDA fundraiser which attracted more than 600 people, and this year we are going to do a cycle,” Deputy Gabrielle McFadden said.

“When the Taoiseach launched the Mullingar Athlone Greenway, he challenged the four local TDs to don their cycle gear for what I believe will be a fantastic event,” she says .

“The charity cycle is open to everybody and families are more than welcome to join us for a cycle or a walk anywhere along the route, in places such as Streamstown, Castletown Geoghegan and Moate.

“All proceeds from the day go directly to IMNDA, which is a wonderful organisation.

“Our family has first-hand knowledge of the expert range of services they offer to many people and their families in the midlands and nationally on a daily basis.”

The organisers of the cycle are looking for donations of €10 per individual and €20 per family where possible; but contributions, no matter how small, are welcome on the day.

Deputy McFadden said the event is also an opportunity to promote the Mullingar Athlone Greenway: “The project has been close to my heart and I was delighted to secure the initial €4m in funding to get the development up and running.

“It is a great honour to have the Taoiseach participating with us for an event which will help showcase some of the many natural attractions our region has to offer.

“I would like to thank the many people and organisations who are supporting our cycle event – the IMNDA; businesses in Athlone and Mullingar; cycling clubs; Gordon Brett, AIT; the Order of Malta, Declan Slevin and of course the many volunteers.”