about us

In October 2010, Cathal Phelan and Conor Doyle began an unsupported bicycle trip around the coastline of Ireland. The two Dublin friends covered 2,500km as they traced an outline of our country in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland.

The idea to undertake such an adventure stemmed from a growing sense of frustration and powerlessness which arose every time they visited their friend Avril in hospital. Avril McCarthy lives with Cystic Fibrosis, a condition which demands much of her time, efforts and attention.

The pair grew tired of not being able to do anything to help their friend, so decided to raise funds to improve facilities for her and people like her.You can offer your help by donating here.

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Avril McCarthy's Biography
I’m from Rathfarnham in south Dublin, I’ve lived here all my life. Both of my parents were born and bred in Munster and I’m privileged to call Kanturk, Co. Cork my second home.

One of my great passions is shoes, which is lucky, given that I work in a shoe shop! I also enjoy travelling, be it internationally or in my Nissan Figaro, Mindy.

In 2007 I graduated from UCD with a degree in Social Science. During my time in UCD I obtained not only my qualification but some invaluable friends, two of whom are Conor Doyle and Cathal Phelan.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease which you are born with. However I was not diagnosed until the age of 13. Initially my symptoms improved, but in the last few years my experience of CF has changed significantly. These days my health has to be my number one priority.

My life is still the same in many ways; I have a great job, I socialise and I go on regular holidays. I have to schedule an hour of medication and physiotherapy every morning and every evening without fail. This undertaking is a job in itself and as a result my working week is shorter than most.

Surprisingly there are also positive aspects to having CF. It gives me a perspective on life that I don’t think I would have if I was footloose and fancy free. There are definitely ugly times, but I make sure that I make up for them in other ways. My personal response to a course of IVs is new shoes - the longer I’m in hospital, the easier they are to justify.

My symptoms will get better and worse, but they’ll never be gone. There is no cure for CF, but life for a person with CF could be vastly improved, and indeed extended, if better facilities were in place. The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland do fantastic work in advising and supporting people with CF. They also raise awareness of the lack of facilities for people living with CF in Ireland. They are a voice for people like me, who demand improvements in the standard of healthcare that we are receiving.

This cycle is just one example of the huge level of support which I receive from my friends and family. The boys came up with the idea because they felt helpless. I realise that they share my frustration sometimes but instead of being miserable with me when I’m sick, the boys make me laugh. They even take part in some very detailed conversations about footwear – although they struggle with this sometimes!

When the boys first told me about their plan to cycle around Ireland for CF I was completely overwhelmed. It’s great to think that CF has inspired two of my very best friends to take on such a challenge.

Most of us have some affliction at some point in our lives. Some can be minor while others more serious, and sometimes I think that it just comes down to luck. While I’m unlucky in that I have CF, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have friends like these. I hope that they get as much support around the country as they continue to give me.


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Cathal Phelan's biography
I spent my childhood in Celbridge, a Co. Kildare town which was then small enough to explore by bike or roller blade. Soon after starting secondary school, my family moved to Goatstown, a Dublin suburb not far from Dundrum. Myself and Conor met while going to school in Gonzaga College, but became friends going home on the 44A bus.

After our school life, we both spent time studying in UCD. It was during this time that we crossed paths with Avril. Having recieved a degree in Linguistics and Sociology, I went on to study Cognitive Science at masters level, again at UCD. I am currently in the application process to study Speech and Language Therapy in London, a course which is due to commence in January 2011.

My love for bicycles began at a very early age. The gardens of Castletown House in Celbridge were the setting for many a grand contest between myself and my brother, with the title of "World's Best Bike Rider" toing and froing between the two of us on a weekly basis. These days my World Championship days are behind me, as I use my Trek bike for mountain biking and commuting to work.

The sea has always had a magnetic affect on me for as long as I can remember, and my love for Ireland's coastline is not a new thing. Having been a member of the UCD Sub Aqua Club during my time in UCD, I was fortunate enough to visit and dive some of the most remote places of our country. From Malinbeg in Donegal, to Waterville in Kerry, Ireland's coastline has more to offer than I have time to experience it. This trip will force us to slow down and see things in more detail as we crawl from town to town.

I'm new to bike touring. The only experience I have of cycling over any sort of distances is through competing in a small number of adventure races over the past few years (events similar to triathalons, only with muck), and doing a two day charity cycle from Cork to Kilkenny two years ago.

I expect this challenge to be a whole new ball game however. After cycling for only two days, one's bottom got rather sore, so keep an eye on the frequently updated blog for regular updates on bottoms and other interesting things.


Great things are done by a series of small things brought together

Vincent Van Gogh


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Conor Doyle's Biography
I was born in Dublin in 1986, and was raised in a little village called Stepaside in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.

Growing up in a small village at the foot of the Dublin mountains helped me to develop an interest in outdoor pursuits such as cycling and mountain biking. It was on the slopes of Three Rock Mountain, where I spent many summers mountain biking with Cathal, that I began to develop my love for bikes.

As well as a love for cycling I also developed a fascination for all things nautical. This fascination began when I first sailed aboard the Irish sail training tall ship Asgard 2. Over the following years I sailed in several tall ships races in Europe and spent four months living and working aboard the Jeanie Johnston, another Irish tall ship. From my time spent at sea I developed not only a love of sailing but also a great fascination with Ireland’s beautiful coastline.

I have just completed a Masters degree in Regional and Urban Planning in UCD where I also obtained my undergraduate degree in Social Science. Throughout the five years I spent studying at UCD I played hockey for the UCD MHC 3rd XI, playing as captain for 3 years. Since finishing college I have been searching for a challenge to fill the void left by finishing my playing career with UCD MHC.

It was during my time spent studying for my undergraduate degree in Social Science that I first met Avril. As our friendship has developed over the years, I have become increasingly aware of the challenges facing a person living with CF.

The Cycling for CF Project will combine my love of bikes and cycling and the Irish coastline with a desire to create awareness and funding for those living with CF in Ireland.

For me personally, the ‘Cycling for CF’ project represents a number of opportunities:
-The opportunity to challenge myself on a personal level. The cycle will offer me the chance to improve my fitness and push myself both physically and mentally to achieve personal goals.
 -The opportunity to raise much needed funds to help to improve the standard of care provided for those living with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland.
 -The opportunity to raise awareness of the inhumane way which people living with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland are treated.
-Finally this trip represents an opportunity not only to visit some of my favourite areas of Ireland such as Connemara and West Cork but also to discover areas of my own country which I have never visited before. And maybe even have a few pints and laughs with my best mate along the way.