Timmy Mallet completes cycle around island of Ireland

Timmy Mallet completes cycle around island of Ireland
While on the 6,000km cycle of roads, paths and greenways, he discovered a family link to Blacksod Lighthouse in Co Mayo that has deeply affected him
TV presenter Timmy Mallett visiting the Parliament Buildings at Stormont
(Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire )
TV host Timmy Mallet has praised the "profoundly gorgeous" kindness of people after completing a cycle around the coastline of the island of Ireland.
While on the 6,000km cycle of roads, paths and greenways, he discovered a family link to Blacksod Lighthouse in Co Mayo that has deeply affected him.
‌
The colourful personality is known for his children's television series in the 80s and 90s and cover of Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini.
‌
He embarked on a cycle circumnavigation around Great Britain in 2023 to raise awareness of people's potential after the death of his brother Martin, who had Down's Syndrome and died in 2018.
He began a cycle along Northern Ireland's and Donegal's coast in March last year, before returning to cycle around the whole island.
"This is the completion of my cycle circumnavigation of the island of Ireland," he said at Stormont on Monday.
Article continues below
"I kicked off in lashing rain in March last year when I aimed to see if I could do a cycle circumnavigation of Northern Ireland."
He said he then decided he would add the "forgotten county" of Donegal.
"Further north than Northern Ireland, but in the south. I love that nuttiness," he said.
‌
"Five hundred and fifty miles after completing Donegal, I thought to myself I'd like to come back and see if I could do the Wild Atlantic Way."
He said he put aside two months to do as much of the Wild Atlantic Way as possible, and got as far as Kinsale in Co Cork.
"I phoned up Mrs Mallet and she said 'I'm having the bathroom done, so just keep going, I'm not ready to have you home yet, Mallet'."
‌
He said it was "an absolute joy" to complete the circumnavigation of the island.
He added: "There's something about the kindness and generosity on this island that is really lovely. It's profoundly gorgeous, this welcome that comes across the whole of Ireland.
"I am thrilled to say I have got a squillion new friends in Ireland and I love it. It's almost in the DNA of the Irish actually to say 'welcome, come on in, we're your friends'."
‌
He said Ireland had "an understanding of differences" and celebrated things that bring people together.
He added: "I'm inspired on this journey by my brother Martin (who had) language and learning difficulties. He never let Down's Syndrome define him. He'd say 'You and me, I'm happy.'
"That's about being in the moment, celebrating the here and now of living. It reminds me that all we have to do in life is reach our potential. We don't have to be the best in the world, just the best that we can be."
‌
He recounted highlights of the trip, including a family connection at a Mayo lighthouse and a person who helped during Wacaday filming 35 years ago.
"I went to Blacksod Lighthouse in Co Mayo which has got a family connection for me that I didn't know," he said.
"The weather forecast for D-Day was supplied by Maureen Sweeney in June 1944 and my mum was working at supreme headquarters, at the time, on the weather forecasting for D-Day.
‌
"And Maureen's grandson Fergus tells the story of how a squeaky-voiced English lady phoned up to check Maureen's reports. That was my mum.
"This connection of two women, in a cataclysmic world event, doing their bit for freedom has had a profound impact on me.
"I also loved the journey down further south, in Dingle, where I meet Jimmy Flannery who had taken me, 35 years ago during the Wacaday filming, to meet and swim with Fungi the dolphin.
‌
"And here he is there still and we shared happy memories of that day of filming 35 years ago in 1990.
"On the border between North and the Republic, I came across that lovely conundrum, if you like, where somebody's house is in the UK but their garden is in the Republic.
"They were living with it all day every day and enjoying the best of both sides of that wee border."
Article continues below
He added: "I'm coming back, I love you. Keep 'er lit. This is a gorgeous, gorgeous country."
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly met with Mallet at Stormont on Monday.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Wales Online

4 hours ago

• Wales Online

Prince William celebrates 43rd birthday with adorable image taken by his closest companion

Prince William celebrates 43rd birthday with adorable image taken by his closest companion The sweetest photograph, taken by Kate Middleton, was shared by Kensington Palace Prince William is seen with the new puppies in the birthday snap (Image: Instagram/princeandprincessofwales ) The Prince of Wales has celebrated his 43rd birthday with a personal and whimsical photo alongside his dog Orla and three delightful puppies. Kensington Palace shared the charming image, captured The Princess of Wales, on William's birthday on Saturday, accompanied by the endearing caption: "Happy birthday! Love C, G, C, L, Orla and the puppies!". In the snapshot, the Prince is seen affectionately patting one of the chocolate cocker spaniel pups, while their mother Orla is cosily situated behind him. ‌ The Royal couple welcomed Orla into their family in 2020. ‌ Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here They suffered the sad loss of their previous dog, Lupo, another beloved cocker spaniel that was a wedding gift from Kate's brother James Middleton. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images ) Article continues below Last month, Orla delighted the family with a litter of four puppies. The delightful birthday photograph was taken on a a sunlit day in Windsor earlier in June. This year's birthday festivities for The Prince were seemingly more subdued compared to last year. ‌ He treated Prince George and Princess Charlotte to a concert featuring Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium. HRH has navigated a year full of personal challenges as he approached his 42nd birthday, including health scares for both his wife and father, who were diagnosed with cancer. During his birthday week, The Prince joined The King and The Queen at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, maintaining a Royal presence at the much-anticipated annual event. ‌ The Princess of Wales, regrettably missing the occasion for a second consecutive year, was reportedly keen to attend the treasured sporting and social affair in Berkshire with her family. The Prince of Wales visited Norwich on Thursday, accompanied by Earthshot Prize council member Cate Blanchett. They visited Colorifix, a company that creates eco-friendly textile dyes and has been shortlisted for the 2023 prize. Article continues below Both Prince William and Ms Blanchett wore lab coats as they witnessed the company's products being made. William humbly requested a "layman's version" of the scientific details being explained and even went on to apologise to the staff for asking "all the stupid questions".

Daily Mirror

6 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Homes Under The Hammer star 'failed on every level' with £500k pub rennovation

Martin Roberts has admitted he drastically underestimated the time and cost of his latest project, with his deadline of two years up and half a million spent on a derelict pub Homes Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts admits he has "failed on every level", after he underestimated how challenging it would be to renovate a derelict South Wales pub. The former I'm A Celebrity contestant, 61, bought the Hendrewen Hotel in Rhondda in 2023, and invested half a million to revamp the rundown boozer. Not far from his own farmhouse, renovation guru Martin wanted to help the local community, which he said had "lost their heart". But he has now admitted he had completely misjudged how much time and money it would take. ‌ Having originally estimated it could be done in two years at the cost of £500,000, Martin has already gone over his deadline and the makeover is nowhere near finished. He admits it has been 'challenging', and has only been motivated to get through thanks to his team of 15-17 year olds, who have been working with his tradesmen. ‌ Martin hoped it would give them practical skills to use when they leave education, having chosen a pub in one of the most deprived areas in the country. The reality TV star wanted to give the kids a "step up the ladder" to help them get jobs when they finish, as well as planning to employ 30 locals when his project is finally complete. Speaking to the Sun, Martin explained how he felt like he'd failed. He told the paper: "For a man who spends all his time telling people to make sure they stick to their budgets and timescales, I have failed on every single level. "I'm still smiling but, oh my word, what a challenge it's been, I'll be honest, it's the first commercial property I've ever done. There have been lots of residential houses and flats, but commercial properties have a lot more complications, I'd say we are 60 per cent there." Martin's vision for his hotel includes an eight-bedroom establishment, with each of the rooms having a television theme. He plans to have Fawlty Towers, A Question of Sport and Homes Under The Hammer themed accommodations, paying homage to the show he's presented for more than 20 years. The TV star previously told WalesOnline: "I often act a bit on gut instinct, and possibly don't always tell my wife because sometimes I think there's a danger I will be talked out of things because they appear daft on the surface, I only sort of mention it when it's too late!' ‌ He added: 'I've never run a pub, I've never run a restaurant, and I've never run a hotel. So, hey, what could possibly go wrong?!" Martin's idea for his new venture came after he had emergency surgery and suffered a terrifying health scare after he suffered chest pains. He thought he had COVID, but when he was hospitalised, medics told him he had pericardial effusion - a build up of fluid around his heart. ‌ Doctors warned him that he could only have hours to live if he didn't go in for the op. He told Metro: "It was a bit of an eye-opener to be honest, being three hours from death, that's always going to ruin your day. "I was told to slow down and really take things easy… so I bought a pub which needed complete renovating and which I've got try and run, having no experience of running a pub, restaurant or a hotel. It suddenly makes you realise how fragile we all are in lots of ways."

The National

10 hours ago

• The National

Arab Strap on Kneecap, free speech and gigging in Glasgow

Just last month, it was announced that TRNSMT – Scotland's biggest festival – had axed Irish rap trio Kneecap from its line-up, citing "police concerns". It came after fury from politicians over a member of the group allegedly calling for the death of Tory MPs, with First Minister John Swinney weighing in that the band had "crossed the line". READ MORE: Kneecap's Mo Chara expected to request Irish translator following court room blunder Plenty of musicians – including Pulp, Massive Attack, Fontaines DC and Primal Scream – rallied behind the group, arguing there had been a "clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform' them. So with Arab Strap performing just days before TRNSMT kicks off, I was keen to hear where the duo stood on the issue: and frontman Aidan Moffat and instrumentalist Malcolm Middleton didn't shy away. "It's a shame they're not playing," Middleton tells me, as Moffat adds that "no one should be axed for their beliefs." Malcolm Middleton (left) and Aidan Moffat (right) (Image: Kat Gollock) He pondered: "It's funny how the people who bang on constantly about free speech are the people who are trying to take bands like Kneecap off." Moffat went on to say that the festival's organisers were "under a lot of pressure" to axe Kneecap, and that "they've bowed to it". "The irony is that by doing so they've simply amplified Kneecap's voice," he said. Moffat makes a point. After news broke that Kneecap had been axed from TRNSMT, the group announced another gig in Glasgow, three days before their scheduled appearance. It sold out within minutes. And when the trio appeared at the Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig, they were met with hundreds of people chanting "Free Palestine". "It always happens," Moffat reflects. "They try and silence someone and they just end up with a louder voice." 'I was shitting myself' As I was preparing to sit down with the duo ahead of their Queen's Park Arena gig on July 4, I was reminiscing on the last time I saw them live, at Edinburgh's Connect festival in 2023. Talking about that gig brings up some fond memories for Moffat, as he tells me: "I spent the first few songs looking at the back between singing and trying to work out where everybody was. "I spotted my daughter, who was nine or 10 at the time, right at the front with her hands over the barrier." He was "shitting himself", he said, "mainly because she does that thing where she demands that you pay her £1 every time you swear". "She'll make a lot of money out of an Arab Strap set," he adds with a laugh. (Image: Kat Gollock) The "added pressure" – as Moffat calls it – of having family and friends come to a gig happens more often in Glasgow than anywhere else. "They're usually our biggest gigs and we have a long history with the city," he says, adding that there's always "a bit more commotion and hassle" with the rush of organising the guest list. Middleton agrees that there's an extra layer to playing in Glasgow, as he points out that "there's more chance of family and friends being there". READ MORE: Folk festival mixing in wild swimming and foraging set for return "You're a wee bit – not on edge – but you want it to be good, you want it to be special," he adds. Arab Strap are taking to the stage in Leeds the night before they play at the Queen's Park Arena. But will they treat their Glasgow gig any differently? "Leeds will be really enjoyable and laid back, in Glasgow we've got to try harder," Middleton says. "Not that we won't try hard in Leeds – there's just more chance of being criticised by people you know." In a moment of panic, he tries to rescue himself: "That sounds terrible, I should shut up. I've not done an interview in ages." Arab Strap are performing at Queen's Park Arena in Glasgow on July 4.