Ring cycle is first past €1m finish line

One of the country’s biggest charity fundraisers has passed the €1m mark for the first time.

This year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle netted a massive €1.2m — up €300,000 on 2012.

For the first time, the number of cyclists was capped at 9,000 and among those to complete the 180km route were Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Arts and Heritage Minister Jimmy Deenihan.

The one-day event, which starts and finishes in Killarney, has, for the past 30 years, been held on the first Saturday in July.

Upwards of 400 people attended a function in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, last night, at which details of the money raised were disclosed.

Cycle organising committee chairman Tim O’Brien praised those who took part and the 700 volunteers who work on the day of the cycle each year.

“It’s also obvious that most of the participants recognise the event as a charity cycle and most raise considerably more than the minimum €60 donation each has to give,’’ he said.

Main beneficiaries this year are: Cunamh Iveragh, Down Syndrome Ireland (Kerry branch), Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Pieta House, Recovery Haven Cancer Support Centre, Kerry Lifeline, Irish Autism Society (Kerry branch). Twenty subsidiary charities also benefit.

* Entries for the 2014 cycle open in December.