Irish Air Corps members plan Mizen to Malin cycle for LARCC
As part of the Irish Air Corps 100-year celebrations, its members will cycle from Mizen to Malin to raise funds for Cancer Support Sanctuary LARCC.
Next week, 50+ members of the Air Corps will set off from Mizen Head at 10am on Monday, September 5, and expect to cover the 750km between there and Malin Head by September 9.
They aim to raise €20,000 for the charity.
Day 1, Monday September 5, start, Mizen Head; stop, Bantry; finish, Tralee.
Day 2, Tuesday 6 September, start, Tralee; stop, Kilfenora; finish, Galway.
Day 3, Wednesday September 7, start, Galway; stop, Leenaun; finish, Castlebar.
Day 4, Thursday September 8, start, Castlebar; stop, Tobercurry; finish, Finner Camp.
Day 5, Friday September 9, start, Finner Camp; stop, Buncrana; finish, Malin Head.
Cancer Support Sanctuary LARCC is a community-based cancer support centre in Multyfarnham. Alongside its suite of professional services – offered on an appointment basis – LARCC is the only centre in Ireland offering therapeutic residential breaks for cancer patients.
Bernie McHugh, general manager at LARCC said: “We are delighted and honoured to have the support of the Irish Air Corp in this historic year for such an iconic element of the Irish Defence Forces.
“LARCC has a close link with the Irish Air Corp as one of our founders, Commandant Frank Russell, joined the Irish Air Corp in 1964 and retired in 2009.
“The funds raised from this charity cycle will be immense in helping us to continue to provide our vital professional support services to so many cancer patients in the community, and from all parts of Ireland.”
The 50 Air Corp personnel taking part include all ranks, and Commandant Stephen Byrne, who will lead the group, said: “It is appropriate that one of our celebration activities for our 100th anniversary should be to help a vital service for cancer patients.
“Our members taking part are delighted to have the opportunity to raise funds for the Cancer Support Sanctuary LARCC and we are asking the Irish public to donate generously in whatever way they can.”
Details of how to support the Irish Air Corps in the Mizen to Malin Charity Cycle can be found at:
Irish Air Corps 100th Anniversary
On October 21, 1921, during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations, Emmet Dalton and CF ‘Charlie’ Russell, both IRA volunteers and Great War veterans, wrote to their Chief of Staff from London that a Martinsyde Type A, Mk II airplane had been purchased in secret to carry out military operations on the British mainland and to assist, if required, the escape of Michael Collins and the plenipotentiaries should the talks collapse.
The Treaty was eventually signed on January 6, 1922 and the Martinsyde, which became the first aircraft owned by the provisional Irish Government, arrived at Baldonnel via sea and road on June 16, 1922.
Charlie Russell and WM ‘Jack’ McSweeney, also a war veteran and volunteer, had been instrumental in the plan and both immediately went to work in the Military Aviation Department in Beggars Bush Barracks, setting up the Departments of Military and Civil Aviation.
On March 23, 1922, at a meeting between members of the government, General Staff and the Aviation Department, the Irish Air Council was established. McSweeney and Russell were appointed directors of the Departments of Military and Civil Aviation respectively with the ranks of Commandant General and Colonel Commandant.
On May 6, 1922, the first Irish troops took over RAF Baldonnel and began the evolution into what was to become the Irish Air Corps.