The Galway Cycle is now into its 39th year and is going stronger then ever! Over the past 30 years over €1,000,000 euro has been raised for various Irish charities!
This section provides a brief overview into the history of the cycle and the various charities we have helped over the years as well as information on the current committee and sponsors for Galway Cycle 2025.
The first ever “Galway Cycle” and its impact can be traced and measured back over many years.
It was 1987 when a small group of Clerical students of Saint Patrick’s College – Maynooth decided that they wanted to try and make a difference. A decision was made to organise a cycle that would start from the college gates and finish in Eyre Square – Galway. It was a basic principal but we knew what we wanted to do.
Why do this? – Two reasons:
The first cycle event was a very small affair. The sum total of the first ever Galway Cycle … approx. 8 cyclists and 1 support car!! While we did have stops, they were few and far between, and in turn with smaller numbers the pace was faster! The group arrived into Galway around 4 pm.
As the Cycle grew into becoming an annual event, the addition of the Young Christian Students (YCS) opened the event to all College students – both male and female. From this point on, the Cycle has continued to grow in numbers year on year!
The Galway Cycle has changed, touched and transformed so many peoples lives – but more importantly… “It has made THAT difference!”
The GC only makes “a difference” because of the special people involved.
Finally on behalf of all the charities – A very special heart felt thanks to you all……
Galway Cycle 2026 – 39 years and counting – Charity, Cycle, Craic.
Let’s keep her lit
| Year | Charity | Amount Raised | President |
| 2025 | Oscar’s Kids | €71,138 | Mark Nugent |
| 2024 | Little Blue Heros | €75,000 | Steven McCarthy |
| 2023 | As Darragh Did | €81,000 | Blaithin Kelly McCarthy |
| 2022 | Heart Children | €50,000 | Sean Kelleher |
| 2021 | Rosabel’s Rooms | €58,500 | Aisling McGovern |
| 2019 | Vision Sports Ireland | €62,000 | Claire McCarrick |
| 2018 | Friends of the Coombe | €106,000 | Ciara Keogh |
| 2017 | NRH Foundation | €80,372 | Samantha Ward |
| 2016 | Down Syndrome Ireland | €120,000 | Aaron D’Arcy |
| 2015 | Irish Guide Dogs | €115,000 | Therese Lynn |
| 2014 | PWSAI | €150,000 | Andrew Garrad |
| 2013 | Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation | €151,000 | Emma Kilgannon |
| 2012 | Down Syndrome Ireland | €150,000 | Donncha Gayer |
| 2011 | Pieta House | €83,000 | Shane Lynn |
| 2010 | National Breast Cancer Research Institute | €81,300 | Ciaran Pollard |
| 2009 | Cystic Fybrosis Association of Ireland | €78,000 | Eimear Ryan |
| 2008 | Headstrong | €80,000 | John Doyle & Dominic Meehan |
| 2007 | Stepping Stones ABA School | €81,000 | Shane Quigley |
| 2006 | Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice | €67,500 | Brian Casey |
| 2005 | The Irish Kidney Association | €36,000 | Anne Cullen |
| 2004 | Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus | €35,000 | Paul Mullally |
| 2003 | Irish Society for Autism | €30,000 | Peter McGuire |
| 2002 | Enable Ireland | €26,000 | Maire Fox & Michael McHugh |
| 2001 | Temple Street Children’s Hospital | €35,000 | Caroline Mannion, Fiona Hoare & Mary McLoughlin |
| 2000 | Fighting Blindness | €18,000 | John McCormack |
| 1999 | Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children | €16,500 | Eamonn Carroll |
| 1998 | ISPCC | €12,700 | Ger Griffin |
| 1997 | Meningitis Research Foundation | €12,700 | Michael Sheridan |
| 1996 | GOAL | €10,100 | John McGrath |
| 1995 | Make A Wish Foundation | €12,700 | Ronan Barry |
| 1987-1994 | ISPCC | €12,700 | Marie-Therese Kilmartin and others |
