New clothing line inspired by Irish track cyclist launched for men

The new range is smart and certainly draws its inspiration from a unique source; Irish track cycling. Each item in the shot above, including the shoes, comes in at between €45 and €90.

A new clothing range inspired by Irish Olympic cyclist Michael Walker has gone on sale in Dunnes Stores outlets around the country having been created by former GAA start Paul Galvin.

The Kerryman has turned to fashion since hanging up his boots and the new ‘Push’ collection is the second time he has teamed up with Dunnes Stores to launch his ranges.

Cyclist Walker – who was from Fairview in north Dublin – competed at the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912 when they were permitted under special dispensation to compete for Ireland despite the country being under British rule.

Shop my latest @dunnesstores collection online now. Inspired by Irish Olympic cyclist & activist Michael Walker https://t.co/jtgIoe9dPI

— paul galvin (@pgal10) March 10, 2016

And when the Easter Rising broke out four years later, Walker ferried vital messages around on his bike so the key figures leading the rising could communicate with each other and receive news of events in other parts of Dublin.

Galvin has said his new clothing range was inspired by both the clothing Walker wore when competing and by the three piece suit he wore by playing his messages dispatch role in Easter 1916.

The collection forms part of Dunnes Stores efforts to pitch some of its clothing offerings at a higher end of the market than the value-driven clothing it has always been known for.

Have a look at some of the kit and see what you think. We can’t say any of the track riders whizzing around the velodromes at home and abroad in this kit any time soon, but it looks pretty sharp and is certainly unique.

Michael Walker and how he looked when cycling around spreading news of the Easter Rising and keeping the key figures in contact with each other.

Michael Walker and his brother John Walker with fellow Irish track team riders Ralph Mercredi, Matthew Walsh, Francis Guy and Bernard Doyle in 1912, the year they rode the Olympics.