The 16th instalment of the annual Tour de Munster took place around the province last week, culminating in a frantic and tiresome sprint up Patrick’s Hill in Cork City on Sunday.
The race, with around 120 amateur cyclists taking part, begin in Waterford City on Thursday and worked its way around Munster on a 600km course.
Cycling legend Sean Kelly was among the riders to take part, with all funds going to the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland, the 7th successive year that the charity has been the beneficiary of the popular cycle.
The 2015 cycle raised €260,000 for the charity, bringing the total raised for the Munster Branches of DSI to €1.6 million. The aim from this year’s event was to raise a further €250,000 for DSI.
Stage 1 began in Waterford, travelling tthrough Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel, Cahir, Tipperary, Limerick, Birdhill and Killaloe. Stage 2 travelled throughout Clare and Kerry, with Stage 3 staying in Kerry. The final stage began on Sunday in Kenmare and ended up in Cork City for the final uphill stretch before the finishing line.
Tour de Munster organiser Paul Sheridan established the popular cycle in 2001, which has had a life changing impact on the lives of countless people through its fundraising efforts; and since its inception, the cycle has raised over €2 million for its beneficiaries; and for DSI alone, it has raised almost €1.6 million.
He commented on their decision to raise funds for DSI: “The Down Syndrome cause is an extremely worthy beneficiary of the Tour and over the last six years of our partnership we have received a huge amount of support from both DSI and families themselves who benefit from the funds raised. Each time we meet these wonderful children and adults we are reminded of how worthy a cause Down Syndrome is.”
