Mayo Pink Ribbon 2023

The atmosphere was incredible last weekend as over 400 cyclists gathered for the annual Mayo Pink Ribbon Charity Cycle. This event is much loved and draws people from all over the country. Many are cyclists who return year after year. Everyone has a story and those stories are shared along the way. The day is all about camaraderie and support rather than times and distances.

The sun shone for the first half of the day as cyclists set off in a sea of pink. However not even a couple of torrential showers could dampen their spirits as participants arrived home full of good humour, pride and a sense of achievement. All along the route they had been greeted and supported by the wonderful team of volunteers who help out each year. A particular highlight this year was the welcome cyclists received from school children in Foxford, one of the lunch stop towns. Not only had the children coloured the road and path in pink, they created slogans of encouragement and played music and generally entertained cyclists as they passed by.

This year, in a new departure for Mayo Pink Ribbon, the host venue for the cycle was the newly named Atlantic Technological University, Castlebar Campus. This proved to be the perfect venue with plenty of space, superb facilities and the warmest of welcomes from all in the ATU.

Among those taking part was former Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Enda has been a patron of Mayo Pink Ribbon since its inception and is a stalwart supporter of the cycle.

Former Mayo senior footballer and Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon also took part.