Mayo Garda to ‘Chase the Sun’ in cycle from Belfast to Enniscrone
Claremorris based Community Garda, John Monaghan, is putting the finishing touches to his preparations for a truly marathon cycle from Belfast to Enniscrone next Saturday, June 20.
The event has been named “Saoirse’s Sunshine Cycle” in memory of three year old Saoirse Duggan of Spotfield, Bekan, who sadly died on June 15, 2025, after bravely coping with leukaemia for a period of time.
John, a native of Barnaderg near Tuam, has been stationed in Claremorris for seventeen years.
Saoirse was an Honorary Garda in Little Blue Heroes and was John’s little blue buddy. He has chosen to raise funds for Little Blue Heroes which is a charity An Garda Síochána is affiliated to. Little Blue Heroes supports families of children with serious illness in Ireland.
The venture is entitled “Chase and Sun” and is an international event which sees participants cycle from sunrise to sunset. The Belfast to Enniscrone is one of four such events being held on Saturday with one in Italy and two in England.
Around 300 are expected to take part in the Belfast to Enniscrone event but John is the only one doing it in memory of Saoirse and raising funds for Little Blue Heroes.
The starting point on Saturday morning is the Titanic Memorial Garden in Belfast and the cyclists hope to reach Enniscrone before sunset (22.15 approx) on Saturday evening. The cycle is in the region of 340km corresponding to around 210 miles.
The route will include Larne, Glenarm, Ballymena, Maghera, Moneyneany, Drumquin, on down through Boa Island, Garrison, Rossinver and Manorhamilton before embarking on the final stretch through Dromahair, Ballysadare, and along the coast by Dromore West and Easkey before concluding the mammoth venture in Enniscrone.
John’s many friends around Mayo and Galway have been rallying to the cause and support has been pouring in recent days for this special cause. Little Blue Heroes Foundation is funded entirely by donations and fundraising.
The following is the link to take you to the idonate page https://www.idonate.ie/JohnsCycleforSaoirse.