Carlow bikers raised €1,400 for Palestinian kids’ visit
Tom Farrell and John Curry and his grandson Odhran Hamilton
OVER 60 bikers roared out of Rathvilly village recently, taking a scenic run that included Tullow, Duckett’s Grove, Castledermot and Baltinglass.
The bikers came from far and wide to support a great cause – raising money to support children from Palestine who are due to visit Rathvilly later this month. Ken Gahan, who organised the bike run, was delighted with how it went. However, that visit now appears unlikely to happen.
Ken has been "over the moon" with how the run went initially.
We got great support from the community and everyone was in good form. We think that this was the first time that there was a bike run from Rathvilly and it went so well that we’re thinking of doing it again,” said Ken.
The event raised €1,400 in aid of 50 children and their guardians who are travelling from Palestine to do a tour of Ireland, with Rathvilly being one of the first stops.
The kids were due to arrive in the village on Tuesday 22 July, and were to be met on the square by a group of locals before walking up to the GAA pitch accompanied by the Artane Boys Band. There was to be fun and games at the football pitch, with the Palestinian children learning how to play hurling. They were to be presented with a goodie bag and then they’ll all have lunch and refreshments in The Harp Bar, catered by Tracy Corcoran from nearby café The Green Lemon.
The youngsters and their guardians were also to tour the rest of their tour of Ireland, taking in Tipperary, Cork, Clare, Galway, Derry and Belfast, before returning to Palestine.
Businessman Stephen Redmond, originally from Rathvilly but now living in London, organised the trip for the children and was being assisted locally by a group of volunteers, while Carlow Co Council has also rowed in with support.
