Would you have the nerve to cycle the length of Ireland with no previous experience? That's what two plucky employees from Hays, the recruiting experts, are doing in aid of the Irish children's charity Barretstown to raise €10,000.
(OPENPRESS) July 3, 2012 -- Would you have the nerve to cycle the length of Ireland with no previous experience? That's what two plucky employees from Hays, the recruiting experts, are doing in aid of the Irish children's charity Barretstown to raise €10,000.
Mike McDonagh and Eoin Henry, will head off from Malin Head in County Donegal on the 1st July for a gruelling 750km ride along the coast over seven days until they reach their destination of Mizen Head in Cork. In addition, they will be covering all their own expenses, so every single cent goes to charity.
The two Dublin based men decided to embark on their adventure after listening to the exploits of Limerick man Sean McGowan, who spent 100 days at sea, crossing the Atlantic.
Mike McDonagh explains "When I listened to Sean's story at our staff conference it was clear my life was missing a major challenge, so I started to think, what is the most adventurous thing a man can do in Ireland?"
That's when they decided to do the marathon cycle and to do so while raising money for Hays' corporate charity, Barretstown. For Eoin, that created an extra incentive.
"I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma five years ago," says Eoin. "So I can appreciate how much your life changes when battling a cancer. However, I'd never considered before how much harder it must be for children with a life threatening disease. When I saw the amazing opportunities Barretstown opens for kids across Ireland, the bike ride seemed so much easier.
The two recruitment consultants have done a variety of activities to help achieve their target of €10,000 including a raffle, an auction and a table quiz.
To make a donation go to hays.ie/cycle
Notes for editor
The schedule for Mike and Eoin's cycle is below. To set up a photocall or interview in the evening, you can call
Saturday - Wednesday
Brian Henry 00447919597730
Wednesday - Saturday
Tom McDonagh 0831399300
Day From To Distance (km)
1 Malin Head Letterkenny 75
2 Letterkenny Sligo 115
3 Sligo Leenane 133
4 Leenane Dungory West 108
5 Dungory West Abbeyfeale 137
6 Abbeyfeale Kenmare 82
7 Kenmare Mizen Head 87
Total 737
About Hays Ireland
Hays Ireland is part of Hays plc, the leading global specialist recruitment group. Established in Ireland since 1996, Hays developed into one of the country's most successful recruitment organisations with a network of offices around the country. The Group is the expert at recruiting qualified, professional and skilled people worldwide. It operates across the private and public sectors, dealing in permanent positions, contract roles and temporary assignments.
About Barretstown
Barretstown is a break from hospitals, white coats and medical treatment and a chance for sick children to be children again: to have fun, to make new friends and create new memories - all within the beautiful and magical setting of Barretstown castle in the Kildare countryside.
