Majella’s spirit to drive pair on as they cycle around Ring of Kerry for charities

On Saturday July 6, Peter McKeever & Conor McShane will attempting to complete the 170km (112 miles) cycle in one day.

It’s their first time competing in anything like this, but they have both been training hard and are very much looking forward to the event.

For Peter it means ticking something he has always wanted to do off his bucket list.

He added that a life changing experience in 2021 gave him the push to get his act together and think about it.

"So I said in 2023… that’s it! I’m preparing and doing The King of Kerry in 2024! And now I’m weeks away from it,” said Peter.

He added that Conor, his “great friend & in-law” was “no better person” to be heading to Kerry with for this event.

"He’s been a great support and very encouraging in the preparation, so no doubt we will get through the event on the day and enjoy the post event activities!”

Sadly, in July 2021, Peter lost his mummy, Majella McKeever from Dorsey, to cancer.

"Mummy’s sickness was short lived and her death came very quickly,” he said, adding it “knocked me and my family for six”.

He added: “It takes time to process the diagnosis of cancer. Unfortunately for [us] we didn’t get enough time to process mummy’s diagnosis.

"The next thing mummy had died. It’s a lot to digest and take on board."

Three years later, on the weekend of his mummy’s anniversary, Peter will partake in The Ring of Kerry Cycle.

"I will remember my mummy in every foot to the pedal. I’m doing this cycle to honour and remember my beautiful mummy, Majella and her kind and caring soul,” he stressed.

“Conor [has] been a great friend and in-law [and] will support me in the cycle, he will be doing this cycle in memory of his Aunt Majella also. I’m very grateful to him for this, he’s a great lad.”

The pair say they would greatly appreciate it if family, friends, teammates, clubs, work colleagues, neighbours and the public could support them on their adventure by giving donations on their GoFundMe page.

The money will be split between two charities – the Southern Area Hospice who “sadly too many homes know too well of and have had first hand experience of the fantastic work that they carry out with cancer patients and their families”, and The Rainbow Club in Crossmaglen.

“This organisation is for children and adults with special learning and additional needs,” Peter said.

"[They are] the heart of our community for local families that need and require additional support for all social aspects of children’s and adults’ lives.

"The Rainbow Club provide outings and organize many social events for children and adults in the local community.

He added that the charity “was in-valuable to my mummy and my family in the life of my uncle Miceal Fearon”, who had “many a wonderful party, trip and of course the annual Christmas dinner and dance” with the organisation.

"Miceal’s outings with The Rainbow Club used to give my mummy so much joy, memories in our home that will last forever. The Rainbow Club is all voluntary, they are a wonderful group of caring and hardworking people who deserve money in the pot to organize more events and allow other local families to create memories!”

Peter concluded that they will have “Majella’s spirit driving us on in Kerry... the county that mummy loved! Now let the sun shine!”