8-9-2012

In 2012 the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival celebrated its 20^th anniversary.  The Hillsborough festival came about in the wake of the success of the Galway Oyster Festival which has been on the go since 1954.  To celebrate the Hillsborough anniversary, the organisers decided to link the two fesivals by transporting oysters between the two locations as part of a charity cycle ride.  The funds raised would go to the festival's chosen charity, the Jill Todd Trust.  Dromara Cycling Club were approached to help organise the cycle.  This cycle consisted of two parts. Firstly a core of cyclists travelled down to Galway to collect the oysters from the mayor of Galway then cycle back to Hillsborough over a two day period.  The second part was for local cyclists to join this core group on their cycle back to Hillsborough either from the Carrickdale Hotel, Dundalk or from Banbridge which was on route.  

A team of 8 Dromara CC cyclists formed the "core" that took on the cycle from Galway to Hillsborough which covered approximately 270 km.  This group were transported down on Thursday 6 September 2012, along with their bikes, by bus courtesy of Lisburn Community Transport.  The group met the Mayor of Galway, Terry Flaherty, who, along with Michael Kelly, presented Galway Native Oysters (see photo below).

Afterwards they were able to enjoy lunch of soup and sandwiches which was laid on at the Meyrick Hotel.  With bellies full they set off on their long cycle.  A few punctures to content with (3 in the first 10 miles) but otherwise the going was good, a nice flat route with fine weather.  The aim was to make it to Athlone (approximately 55 miles) where they were welcomed by the staff at the Shearton hotel.  After a great evening meal, rest and a hardy breakfast the group got back on their bikes for a longer cycle to Dundalk (approximately 100 miles).  This was again a fairly flat route and the weather was again kind to the riders.  The group then spent the night in the Carrickdale Hotel in Dundalk where they enjoyed another evening meal, good rest and a hardy breakfast before heading out again on their bikes.  

Waiting outside the Carrickdate were another 14 riders who had given generously to the charity.   The group of 22 then set off just after 9:35 towards Newry where they joined the tow path along the canel.  This brought the cyclists upto Banbridge where they joined another group of around 20 cyclists who had signed up for the cycle, some of whom had been busy raising sponsorship for the cycle.

The riders then arrived in Hillsborough Secret Garden around 12:00 with stragglers arriving up to 12:30. Great food was laid on by the ladies from the church with riders enjoying the sunshine and sitting around the picnic tables in the garden chatting about the route.

The core group then met with the mayor of Lisburn in Hillsborough Castle where they presented the Galway oysters.

A big thanks to all those who helped to put this together especially to Andrew Wilson who worked so hard to co-ordinate all parties.

Photos here