KARE to benefit from Pat Jones Memorial Cycle fundraising

Preparations for the 2026 running of the Pat Jones Memorial Cycle are well underway.

First run in 2014, the event will take place this year on Saturday, April 18, starting from its usual base of St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry.

For the third year in a row, the organisation benefiting from the fundraising efforts of the event will be KARE, the well-known local organisation that provides services and supports for people with intellectual disabilities in Kildare, east Offaly and west Wicklow.

Event organiser Brendan McAuliffe said: "We usually support an organisation for two years at a time. But, last year, the event suffered from poor weather in the week before the event and on the day, so KARE did not benefit as much as we would have liked. For that reason, we're delighted to join forces with them again for 2026, in the hope that we'll get a better day with a bigger turnout".

The event comprises two options - a 92-kilometre spin taking in Enfield, Clonard, Kinnegad, Tyrrellspass, Daingean and back to Edenderry; and a 40 kilometre route that goes through Rhode, Croghan, Daingean and home. For any additional information about the event, contact Brendan McAuliffe at 086 - 851 10 58. Intending participants can register at https://eventmaster.ie/event/v2RDHPoSb4.