'It’s time to change. Kids should not be relying on cyclists so that they can learn to speak or walk'

Emmet Ryan once again joined the field for the Tour de Munster Charity Cycle in aid of the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland

ROYAL VISIT: Emmet Ryan, Gary O'Donovan, Sean Kelly with 'the man himself' Séamus Mooney at King John's Castle Limerick.

Around 30 years ago, I spent long humid summers at my grandaunt’s farm. There were many visitors to her modest house, but one regular I noticed was an older lad named Niall. Niall was different. I knew that. His long face held two large, round eyes that seemed permanently amazed. He spoke softly but his speech was slurred and he often mumbled. 

Sometimes I couldn’t understand him but my grandaunt, Anne (affectionately known as Nanny) understood. She spent hours with him in her tiny kitchen, where she’d be forever tossing sods of turf into the range, like they were coins for some Vegas slot machine. This was the heart of the house, the engine room and when the many one o’clock dinners were served, and all the others were away at work, she’d remain. She’d correct Niall’s speech, teach him how to read the clock, give him little jobs, perhaps sweeping and she’d talk about the animals: cattle, a donkey, maybe even a pony. Niall would sit in the corner stroking the cat and soaking it all in, not a bad bone in his body.