Since its inception, the David Mulready Memorial Cycle (formerly Maynooth Veló Abú) has had a place on the Maynooth Access Group’s calendar.
Members of M.A.G. have volunteered each year the event has been held, working in many areas from registration to marshalling, food distribution, road signage and cleaning up.
It has grown to be one of the foremost cycling sportives among cycling clubs near and far, and is highly praised by participants for the way in which it is organised and managed. Each year the number taking part has increased.
The memorial cycle brings out the very best in community spirit, with volunteers from many groups within the town giving freely of their time. Local businesses make substantial contributions by way of supplying food and drinks for the cyclists both during and after the event.
Dave Mulready was a founder member of Maynooth Cycling Club and a great supporter of the Veló Abú, having on occasion driven the lead car. Following Dave’s untimely death, the decision was made to re-name the “veló” in his honour.
The funds raised by the event have been distributed to community groups, including Maynooth Access Group and The Irish Cancer Society. We are extremely grateful to have been the charity partner of the Dave Mulready Memorial Cycle and funds donated to the group have been directly re-invested in the community by means of our Intergenerational Garden in Geraldine Hall Grounds (A collaboration between the Senior Citizens and the Kildare Scouts)
Three age and environmentally friendly benches two of which have been placed on the footpath outside St. Mary’s Boys National School, and the third in the park on Pound Lane. We also made a presentation to Stepping Stones Special School, Moyglare Road. They had a requirement for a bench for their sensory garden, and we were delighted to be able to meet that need as a means of welcoming Stepping Stones Special School into the Maynooth Community.
The Dave Mulready Memorial Cycle Committee and the Maynooth Access Group committee have established a great working relationship over the years and we hope to continue working together into the future for the benefit of the community as a whole.
