Over 100 Cyclists Take Part in Lough Derg RNLI ‘Lap the Lake’ Fundraiser
- Pat Nolan
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Monday 18 May 2026
More than 100 cyclists took part in this year’s hugely successful “Lap the Lake” fundraising cycle in aid of Lough Derg RNLI.
The event started and finished at Lough Derg Yacht Club, home to the RNLI inshore lifeboat Jean Spier. Cyclists enjoyed a scenic route around Lough Derg while raising vital funds to support the charity’s lifesaving work on the lake.
Throughout the day, Lough Derg RNLI helm Owen Cavanagh and crew members Steve Smyth and Joe O’Donoghue brought the lifeboat Jean Spier to harbours around the lake, meeting cyclists and volunteers at refreshment stops along the route. The crew were available to answer questions about the RNLI, its lifesaving work and the station’s inshore lifeboat operations.
Speaking after the event, Niamh McCutcheon, Chair of the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee, praised organiser Laura Clarke for her dedication and enthusiasm.
“Laura left no stone unturned in her organisation and made everyone feel welcome. She received very positive feedback from all the participants, testament to a successful event,” she said.
Christine O’Malley, Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, also commended the organisers and volunteers for delivering such a successful day.
“Lap the Lake was a fantastic day, meticulously organised by Laura and her fundraising team and we want to thank them sincerely for their efforts. Thanks too to our own station volunteers who contributed to the event’s success, helping out in various ways. Cyclists got to enjoy the beauty of Lough Derg while raising essential funds for Lough Derg RNLI, funds which will now go towards powering our lifesaving work on the lake,” she said.
Laura Clarke, Chair of the Lap the Lake event committee, thanked fellow committee members Ena Butler, Catriona McNally, Jonathan Horgan, Anne Atkinson, Robert Grace, Niamh McCutcheon and Bob O’Brien for their commitment and hard work in the months leading up to the event.
She also acknowledged the large number of volunteers from across the community who assisted throughout the day. Special thanks were extended to Catriona McNally for managing registration alongside helpers Ann Atkinson, Aoife Kennedy and Eleanor Hooker.
Laura also thanked Susie Coote and Sylvia Crawford at Killaloe Sailing Club, Ger Murphy at Iniscealtra Sailing Club, and volunteers at refreshment stops including Niamh McCutcheon, Roisín Kiersey, Catriona McNally and Tom Sanders.
Acknowledgement was also given to Eoin Dillon, Aidan Ryan and Stevie Quinlan from North Tipp Wheelers, who acted as cycling marshals during the event.
Laura paid tribute to Robert Grace for coordinating marshals so effectively and praised the Bike Marshals for their care and professionalism. She also thanked the Order of Malta, Richie Burke of The Bike Doctor, who donated his time and services, and the many local businesses and supporters who contributed to the day.
Main sponsors included Abbey Machinery, Arrabawn, Apple, Coca-Cola and several local businesses and supporters.
For the fourth consecutive year, Lough Derg Yacht Club hosted the event, while Killaloe Sailing Club and Iniscealtra Sailing Club once again provided facilities for participants along the route.
Additional thanks were extended to Noreen O’Sullivan for refreshments at Lough Derg Yacht Club, Gems Coffee for providing pizzas, crêpes and hot drinks on cyclists’ return to Dromineer, James Corballis of Helm for entertainment and sound facilities, and Beverley Callender for operating a pop-up RNLI shop during the event.
The event once again highlighted the strong community spirit surrounding Lough Derg RNLI and the ongoing support for the charity’s lifesaving work on the lake.
