Titanic Cycle Challenge – Belfast To Cobh – From Launch Site To Last Landfall In Four Days

Launched in Cobh by Town Mayor on “a great journey – starting where the Titanic touched water for the first time, finishing where she called at dry land for the last time”.

Christian Aid Ireland is launching a new four day sporting challenge, the Titanic Cycle Challenge, for 2012 as part of its varied portfolio of sports related challenge events.

The 300 mile bike ride is an all Ireland cycle challenge, open to cyclists of all abilities.  It will begin at the Titanic Quarter in Belfast on Wednesday 16^th May, and arrive at the Titanic’s last port of call in Cobh, Co Cork on Saturday 19^th May, where a wonderful welcome and reception will be planned for all cyclists. 

The Mayor of Cobh, Cllr Jim Quinlan, launched the appeal at the Titanic Experience Centre on Thursday for this unique all Ireland Challenge event and it is hoped that cyclists from all over Ireland and Britain – and further afield – will take part. Along with the Mayor at the launch was the local Titanic100 centenary organising committee, Andrew Coleman, Area Co-ordinator for Christian Aid Ireland, Rev. Brian O’Reilly, Rector of the Cobh Church of Ireland, who plans to organise a special Sea Sunday Service on Sunday 20^th May, local clergy, local Town Councillors, pupils from Bellevue National school Cobh, local cyclists Timmy Murphy and Sean Hayes from Ballymore cycling club Cobh and local guests.    

The Mayor, Cllr. Quinlan, stated “I am delighted to be here to launch the Belfast to Cobh cycle race as one of our Titanic challenges for 2012. An event like this which fosters the link between Cobh and Belfast in this commemorative year is one of particular significance and relevance. With the race starting at the Harland and Wolff Dockyard, where RMSTitanic was built and launched, it is incredibly fitting that it should conclude here in Titanic’s final port of call. As Mayor of Cobh I would like to praise the organisers of this race, Christian Aid, for their ongoing work to tackle global poverty, to commend them on the organisation of this race, and to thank them for including this very worthy event in our programme of “Titanic Challenges”.

Christian Aid’s local representative in Cork Andrew Coleman and a key part of the organisation team outlined the key elements of the event, indicating that it was hoped that up to 40 cyclists from north and south would participate in this historic and unique centenary event, linking Cobh and Belfast. Andrew said that this was a great Titanic Challenge event for anyone who wanted to participate in this historic centenary year for both Cobh and Belfast. The challenge should appeal to cyclists from all parts of Ireland. Most of the journey will be on smaller quieter roads, over those four days  and things like meals and accommodation each night will be sorted out beforehand for all who participate.’

“Marc Anderson of Titanic 100 Cobh 2012 said: The Titanic cycle challenge is a fantastic event and we are glad to have it as part of our Titanic 100 Cobh 2012 Series of Titanic Challenges.  The Titanic, is such an important part of Ireland’s history as it was born in Belfast and was last seen leaving Cork Harbour. This cycle is another link to bring Belfast and Cobh together. I’d like to congratulate Andrew and Christian Aid in such a fine initiative and commend them on supporting developing countries through this event”

Rev. Brian O’Reilly , The Rector of Cobh Church of Ireland community, welcomed this  Christian Aid challenge event, set out the expected  reception they will receive in Cobh on Saturday 19^th, and  outlined the key part that this event will be linking up with the planned “Sea Sunday Service” planned for Cobh on the following Sunday 20^th May. “Riders can look forward an incredible reception that will make them forget the long journey they have completed.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Titanic Cycle Challenge should visit www.christian-aid.ie/cycling or www.christian-aid.org.uk/cycling where they can read more about it and download an application form