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HER love for the outdoors and wonderful community spirit are among the many endearing traits popular Killarney lady Joan Herlihy will be forever remembered for.
Joan Herlihy (nee Quinlan, Castleisland) sadly passed away on February 12, 2015, from cancer. “She was a great outdoors enthusiast who loved nothing better than taking to the hills and walkways of Killarney and its surrounds,” said her friend Marie Shannon.
Now Joan’s children, Laura and Paul, her husband, Dave, and their extended family and friends will be getting on their bikes on Sunday, May 29, for a charity cycle in Joan’s memory. “The first aim of the cycle is to remember and pay tribute to an amazing, inspirational woman who loved to cycle,” said Marie. “The second aim of the cycle is to raise much-needed funds for the Oncology Unit in Kerry University Hospital, where Joan received excellent care and treatment over the years. “Joan’s weekly treatment was delivered with great kindness, dignity and love and Joan had the height of respect for the staff in the Oncology Unit.”
There will be two routes to cater for various levels of fitness. Both begin and end at the Torc Hotel, Lissivigeen.
For those who enjoy a leisurely trip, Cycle 1 is 25kms and makes its way from Lissivigeen, through Woodlawn, along Muckross Road, around Muckross and Dinis and back the same route to Lissivigeen.
For the more daring cyclist, Cycle 2 is 55kms and takes the same route, up to Abbey Cross where Cycle 2 takes the route through Lough Guitane to Glenflesk, on to Barraduff and through Lisababe, Kilcummin and Spa and back to the Torc Hotel. “These are all routes that Joan cycled when training for the various events and in particular takes in her much-loved Muckross Dinis route,” said Marie.
Refreshments will be provided after the cycle in The Torc Hotel, Lissivigeen.
Marie added: “Joan played a major role in community life and was involved in the Community Games for many years and was also a dedicated cub leader with the Kerry Sixth Scouts Troop based in Lissivigeen. She had a great heart and saw the importance of supporting numerous charity events in the Killarney area and even organised events herself.”
Joan loved to cycle and completed many charity cycling events including the Cycle against Suicide in May 2014 when she cycled from Cork City to Killarney on day one and from Killarney to Tralee the second day. “As the cycle made its way from Tralee towards Limerick, Joan headed into the Oncology Unit in Kerry University Hospital to have her bloods taken. She also completed the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle in 2013 and 2014 – a major achievement in itself but more so because of the fact that on both occasions she was receiving chemotherapy – a sign of her great strength and determination,” said Marie.
Anyone interested in taking part in the cycle in memory of Joan on May 29 is asked to contact either Laura on 085-7538266 or Marie on 087-9849882.
 

 
Launching the cycle in memory of Joan Herlihy are Laura Herlihy, Joan's daughter; Christy Lehane; Marie Shannon; Catherine McEniry, Joan's sister; Breda Hickey; and Tom McEniry, Joan's nephew.