The cycling community in Northern Ireland will come together in a fortnight’s time for an event to commemorate Eamon McClean, who died last year at the age 50 and who devoted his life to bringing Catholic and Protestant schoolchildren together through cross-community projects.
Eamon’s Get Together on Saturday 13 May will be based at Arvalee School in Omagh, County Tyrone and is being organised by the educational charity, The Speedwell Trust, which McClean worked for before his death from heart failure last year.
The main theme of the day, with participants including members of cycling clubs, schools and families he was involved with is Cyclists Connecting Communities, with routes of 30 and 60 miles available and there will also be a 5-kilometre fun run.
There will also be family activities including bouncy castles, bubble football, an inflatable dartboard, soccer fun, science shows, art workshops, balloon makers and face painting, as well as live music and a drumming workshop, refreshments and a barbecue.
In an obituary following his death last year, The Irish Times recounted how in 1971 when McClean – one of 12 children – was aged six, his father, a teacher, was interned without trial and subjected to torture and sensory deprivation.
“Rather than become embittered, Eamon dedicated himself to help build a society where such things would not happen again,” the newspaper wrote.
“Through Speedwell, he brought several generations of Catholic and Protestant children together in educational and environmental projects – and sometimes their elders.
“He had the knack of bringing people together and finding the best in them,” it added.
McClean was a member of Omagh Wheelers Cycling Club, members of which joined riders from other clubs to provide a 100-strong guard of honour at his funeral last June.
You can find more information on Eamon’s Get Together, including how to enter, through the even’s Facebook page.
"Causing serious injury by dangerous driving and grievous bodily harm with intent" That's an odd way of describing attempted murder
Campagnolo "hub cap" tools for Record-style hubs should be on the list. They're expensive and not something you need very often, but the...
Really sad for all the staff who have lost their jobs, especially if the above is true and minimum legal notice periods were not met etc. Like the...
You can't have fresh water because I want to drive my car:...
Isn't it the end user that should be choosing? The developer is providing what is requested (presumably based on feedback, marketing dept and so on...
These things happen so often yet every single one of them still produces a sickening feeling when I read about it....
Winter sucking in air through the mouth, soon will breathe in the first bug, then trying to get enough air through the nose until winter comes...
Since pedestrians don't yet have to wear number plates perhaps I need to get some signs made up with his face on them and zip tie them to the lamp...
Yes. They don't change from year to year.
Great to read about someone who knows their own mind. Well done Stu!