Arklow's community spirit on show at East Coast Roosters Motorcycle Club run
Setting off from Arklow in damp conditions, the convoy of riders rode north in torrential rain before stopping off for the night in Donegal.
Soaked to the bone, the riders dried off their clothes as much as possible, then hit the road bound for Killarney, where they spent the night, before embarking on the home leg to Arklow.
Welcomed home to the Arklow Bay Hotel by crowds of family members, friends, supporters and representatives from Arklow Cancer Support, riders were beaming with pride at having completed one of the most challenging charity runs in the history of the almost two-decade-old fundraiser.
Praising his fellow East Coast Roosters Motorcycle Club for their endurance and unwavering support for the run that has seen over hundreds of thousands raised for local charities, club founder Mark Whelan said there were a few sore bodies after the ride.
'We've never witnessed weather like it before, and it couldn't have rained any harder when we were leaving,' Mark said.
'It kept going for the whole day, and while we stopped for fuel, we were so wet that we couldn't take the wet gear off to stop for food, so we didn't have anything to eat until we got to Donegal.
'We got up in the morning and, lo and behold, it was but bucketing down and the clothes were still damp from the previous day, despite the lads trying to dry them on radiators overnight.
'But the spirits remained high, and those lads have big hearts. They just keep going and don't complain.
'On Sunday, we still got a couple of heavy showers, and we made it back to the Arklow Bay at 4.30 pm, where the families and Arklow Cancer Support volunteers clapped us.
'The lads were so tired, as it was a real test of mental endurance, having to concentrate 100pc of the time because of the weather.
'But we made it home safe and sound, which is always the main thing, so it was another successful run for the books!'
Reflecting on the run, long-term East Coast Roosters David Guilfoyle said that, while it was one of the more challenging ones they have taken on, everyone pushed through to complete it, as they always do.
'I'd say the divers in the North Sea wouldn't have got as wet as we did,' David joked.
'The rain was relentless, the whole way up and leaving Donegal on the second day – it just didn't let up.
'However, it was still a really good run. We all made it back. There were no accidents, and we raised a few quid. And it was actually one of the better organised runs, in terms of managing the group.
'After all that weather, I think the lads were delighted to make it back to Arklow and see their families.
'When you're coming into the bay and you see the volunteers from Arklow Cancer Support and all the families, it makes it all worth it.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Mark English's life from girlfriend to rubbing shoulders with celebs on Late Late Show after latest Irish record
MARK ENGLISH yesterday smashed his own 800m Irish record as he continues to be in the form of his life at the relatively old age of 32. And he didn't just about sneak under his previous best time of 1:44.34 either as he managed to shave enough that 6 He clocked the time while running in the Netherlands Credit: @athleticsirelandofficial and @markenglish_ 6 Mark and girlfriend Erica taking in the Northern Lights while visiting Iceland Credit: @markenglish_ 6 Mark and sprint ace Israel Olatunde meeting Irish dancing legend Michael Flatley backstage in RTE Credit: @markenglish_ 6 Kerry GAA great Pat Spillane was also part of the line-up that evening Credit: @markenglish It's worth bearing in mind too that his previous top time was only set in Poland last week. Monday's effort saw English come first in his run at the FBK Games in Hengelo. He saw off France's Yanis Meziane and Australia's Peyton Craig in doing so. Athletics fans were quick to hail his fastest-ever time as going under 1:44 is considered elite across the global 800m spectrum. Read More On Irish Sport Paul Martyn labelled him "phenomenal". Similarly, John McCabe praised: "Running incredibly fast!!! Congratulations Mark!" Raheny Shamrock AC ace Orla Comerford also enjoyed success — winning the Para Athletics Women's 100m. Just last week English had eclipsed his own national record with a fine victory at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in Bydgoszcz. He powered down the home straight in Poland to clock a winning time of 1:44.34, with his previous best of 1:44.53 set in Madrid last June. Most read in Athletics The five-time European medallist trails only Sonia O'Sullivan in Ireland's all-time major championships medal table. His haul comprises of two bronze medals won at the European Outdoor Championships in 2014 and 2022 respectively. 'Next Usain Bolt' Gout Gout, 17, runs blistering sub-10sec 100m twice in same day There were a further two bronze won at the indoor equivalent in 2019 His sole 800m silver came in 2015 when the Indoors were held in Prague. The Donegal native has He made his bow on the greatest stage of all in Rio back in 2016 - making it to the 800m semi-finals. 6 Another pic from his and Erica's trip to Iceland where they took in its stunning scenery Credit: @markenglish 6 He has a degree in medicine from University College Dublin Credit: @markenglish It was a similar story last summer as his Paris journey ended at the semi-final stages after he came sixth. In the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games of 2021 he marginally failed to make it past the first round.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson resigns
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson has resigned and will officially leave his post at the end of 2025, the organisation has announced. NZR chairman David Kirk thanked Robinson for his 'great service' to the organisation and the sport over six years. 'On behalf of the Board, I'd like to recognise Mark for his great service to NZR and the sport,' he said in a statement. 'He has led with a passion for rugby and we thank him for his commitment over the past six years. Our vision is to inspire and unify through rugby and that opportunity has been an easy motivator for me every single day, from the community game right through to the international level 'Mark has driven significant change, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the Board believes the organisation is well-placed to capitalise on this. Of note was his leadership through a global pandemic that saw the game deal with an unprecedented crisis.' He added: 'Mark will continue to lead for the remainder of the year as we conclude key projects, and the Board will now commence recruitment for the new role.' In a statement, Robinson said he was leaving the role to join his wife and children, who have relocated to Australia. 'My family have been based in Australia for the last few months with all three of my children studying there,' he said. 'My wife is already there supporting them and, ultimately, I will be joining them early next year. 'The past six years have been a period of rapid change, or unprecedented challenges through the pandemic, and significant evolution across commercial, competitions and structures. I will reflect on that as I get closer to stepping away, but I firmly believe the foundations of our organisation are extremely strong and the game is well-placed for the future. 'Our vision is to inspire and unify through rugby and that opportunity has been an easy motivator for me every single day, from the community game right through to the international level.' The 51-year-old called his tenure a 'privilege' and said his focus was on 'supporting the Board and leading the organisation through a pivotal year, including ensuring the Black Ferns have the support they need to defend the Rugby World Cup in England'. He added: 'We also remain focused on implementing a new financial model for the game in New Zealand and completing the remaining work on what will be an exciting future international calendar.' Robinson took up the role in January 2020, having previously served on the organisation's board for seven years. His playing career included nine Tests for the All Blacks between 2000 and 2002 and appearances for the Bristol Bears and Japanese side Kobelco Steelers.
Sunday World
23-05-2025
- Sunday World
Tributes paid to popular young man who had a love for ‘cutting hair, fizzy sweets and a pint of Guinness'
The popular young man, who was a much loved former student at Enniscorthy Community College and a talented barber, sadly passed away on Friday, May 16. St Aidan's Cathedral was awash with the colour red as the loved ones of Mark Fortune donned jerseys emblazoned with his name on the back, at his funeral service this week. The popular young man, who was a much loved former student at Enniscorthy Community College and a talented barber, sadly passed away on Friday, May 16. The service began with family members and friends bringing a number of his possessions to the altar which represented his life. Amongst the items were FIFA and darts equipment as he was a big fan of sports, his beloved guitar to make music, his car keys, and a family photo. On behalf of the family, the priest spoke about Mark's life and the vast impact he had on those around him. "Mark was a very caring person. He helped everyone, more than himself and put everyone before himself. He was big into his fitness and loved going to the gym and had a love for the ice bath saunas. He had a love for cutting hair, his fizzy sweets, and loved a pint of Guinness with a packet of nuts in Donohoes.' "He would rock into Donohoes bar with his bike where he would have a big chain on it that would hold a boat down in the dock,' he said to resounding laughs from his loved ones in the pews. 'He would go in for his two pints, but if he met his brother Glenn that maybe turned into seven or eight pints.' He detailed how Mark was respected as a great musician who loved nothing more than to play his guitar and write a few songs, when he wasn't playing his beloved games of darts. "He also loved to play darts at his sister Lisa's house and they nearly had to put him on the rent book as he was there so much.' He also painted a vivid picture of the 'FIFA King's' effervescent personality that brought joy where ever he went. Despite always having something to give out about when his sister Ashling cooked dinner for him, leading to many arguments, he had great love for all his family members and his great friend Glenn Buckley who was always by his side. A complete character, he had his own memorable phrases to all who knew him, including his habit of saying 'beautiful, son' whenever something good happened. Ajax Athletic Football Club wrote a tribute to Mark on their social media page, thanking him for bringing energy and music to their long rides to matches. "Mark will never be forgotten for his guitar playing on the bus with our run of seven away games to the semi-finals of the Leinster Junior Shield, where he brought great times and memories to us all.' Fellow mourners took to to leave messages about his kindness and unwavering sense of humour. One mourner wrote: 'I have very fond memories of Mark in EVC. Such a kind, gentle young man with a warm smile for everyone. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.' Another read: 'What a lovely friendly chap we are all going to miss you coming in for your kinder Bueno Sundae and having the laugh with you. May you get the best bed up there.' A further tribute read: 'Rest in peace friend, my heart is absolutely broken, you were one in a million. I'll never forget everything you did for me.' Beloved son of Anne and James, much loved brother of Paul, Glenn, Lisa, Nigel, and Ashling, and cherished grandson of Margaret and the late James (Cowman), Annie and James (Fortune), Mark is also deeply mourned and sadly missed by his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
