Successful fundraising lake cycle

Blessed with good weather, the third Lap the Lake charity cycle on Saturday last was an immense success, raising €17,500 for Lough Derg RNLI.

Over 250 cyclists took part in the event; some chose to complete the 120km route while others opted for the 65km course. The longer route took participants on a full circuit of Lough Derg, giving entrants the chance to cycle through three counties, Tipperary, Clare and Galway. The other route took cyclists to just beyond Killaloe, to a turnaround point at Killaloe Sailing Club. Both routes gave participants the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding beauty of the lake and the River Shannon. The event started and finished at Lough Derg Yacht Club where the RNLI lifeboat the Jean Spier is based.

Lough Derg RNLI volunteers, helm Eleanor Hooker and crew members Chris Parker, Joe O'Donoghue and Tom Hayes brought the lifeboat Jean Spier to harbours around the lake to meet cyclists and volunteers at refreshment stations. They were on hand to answer questions about the RNLI, the charity’s lifesaving work and of course the lifeboat.

Laura Clarke, Chairperson of the Lap the Lake Event Committee, thanked her cycling committee for their commitment and dedicated hard work - Ena Butler, Catriona McNally, Mike Molamphy, Joe Hayes and Jonathan Horgan, and Anne Atkinson and Niamh McCutcheon from Lough Derg RNLI’s Fundraising Committee.

“It is the generous support of our main sponsors Abbey Machinery and Prestige Windows that ensured the success of Lap the Lake 2024,” Laura said. “For the third year running, Lough Derg Yacht provided their beautiful premises for the entire event.”

Laura acknowledged the bike marshals for their standout care of the participants, Richie Burke, The Bike Doctor who donated his time and services for the day, Cillian O’Mara for making Killaloe Sailing Club and their premises available as the turnaround point and refreshment station along the route, Colin Beck at Iniscealtra Sailing Club, and Brian Kirwan for the use of their premises at Le Boat for a stopover at Portumna.

She thanked the Order of Malta; North Tipperary Wheelers; Tony’s TippTop Shop in Ballycommon; Arrabawn; Quigley’s Bakery in Nenagh; Christy Manning for the refreshments on the route stops; Casa Street Kitchen for providing food at Lough Derg Yacht Club; Noreen O’ Sullivan for providing refreshments in Lough Derg Yacht Club. Laura thanked all the RNLI volunteers including: James Corballis who provided the sound system for entertainment for the participants and their families on their return to Dromineer, and Aoife Kennedy, RNLI Lifeboat Administration Officer and Launching Authority who acted as liaison.

Christine O’Malley, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager added: “Lap the lake was a fantastic day, meticulously organised by Laura and her fundraising team and we want to thank them sincerely for their efforts. Thanks too to our own station volunteers who contributed to the event’s success, helping out in various ways. Hundreds of cyclists got to enjoy the beauty of Lough Derg while raising essential funds for Lough Derg RNLI and we are indebted to them all for it is thanks to them that so much was raised, those funds that will now go towards powering our lifesaving work on the lake.”