Thumbs Up: The cycling club in the Mayo village Enda Kenny is from, and which counts him as a member, has just hit the jackpot with a National Lottery 'health' grant.
The cycling club from the area where Taoiseach Enda Kenny grew up and which named him as an honorary member last year has hit the jackpot with a National Lottery grant.
Islandeady Cycling Club, which has about 100 members, has received a grant of €20,000.
The club was named in a list published in recent days of 120 organisations that received a total of €2.7 million in Lottery grants from the Department of Health.
News that the grant was awarded to the Taoiseach's club emerged in the national media, with The Sunday Times covering the story under the headline: "Kenny's cycle club takes unusual route to funding".
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The headline points to the fact that Department of Health grants from Lottery monies are intended to fund the provision of health related services.
Grants for sports clubs are generally awarded under another scheme; run by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
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However, Islandeady Cycling Club managed to get lucky and was the only sports club to receive a grant under the health scheme this year.
It is believed to be the only cycling club to ever receive a Lottery grant under the health scheme.
The club is rare in that it uses a clubhouse; Jack’s Old Cottage at Derrycoorance, Islandeady, Castlebar.
The cottage, which is very close to Derrywash, Islandeady, where the Taoiseach is from, is maintained as a period building but has a large room in which the club runs spinning classes and other activities.
The club meets for spins in the area three times per week, setting out from their Jack’s cottage base.
Its members mostly take on leisure events though a small number race. The Taoiseach was made an honorary member last December.
In May of this year he turned out in club kit to ride the Mayo Pink Ribbon sportive and in July he also opened another charity event the club assisted.
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