Brother Kevin is fondly recalled in Mayo
Former Mayo footballer David Brady and Brother Kevin Crowley outside the Capuchin Friary at St Mary of the Angels Church in Smithfield, Dublin before the Dublin to Belmullet Cycle in 2016. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The recent passing of Brother Kevin Crowley, the founder of the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, has brought back fond memories of one of the main fundraising events for the centre - the Dublin to Belmullet Cycle, also known as the Cycle for Brother Kevin.
The cycle started in 2010 as a challenge between two Dublin residents, Fergal Flynn and Paul Kelly, who had connections to Belmullet.
“The idea of cycling to Belmullet was always in my mind as it is the furthest town to the West from Dublin City," Fergal told the last week. "It was always going to be a challenge, as it is 300 kilometres over two long days of cycling.
"We decided to cycle for charity and agreed to raise funds for Brother Kevin, who fed homeless people in Dublin City.”
Seven cyclists took part in the inaugural cycle over two days in July 2010 and Brother Kevin eagerly followed the cyclists in the support van. A total of €2,500 was raised.
By 2011, 30 cyclists gathered for the second cycle to Belmullet, and the interest was growing. Over the next few years, a total of ten trips to Belmullet were organised, raising over €700,000 in funds for the homeless in Dubiln. Every year, over 100 cyclists took part in the event.
Brother Kevin looked forward to the event each year and was actively involved with the committee in planning the event.
Fergal said: “On the mornings of the first day of the cycle, the cyclists met in Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin for breakfast and were greeted by Brother Kevin, his staff and residents. The blessings of Brother Kevin set the cyclists off on the journey to Belmullet.
"Brother Kevin enthusiastically met the cyclists at each food stop over the two days of the event. He always had a word of gratitude for each cyclist and had a genuine interest in each cyclist and the sacrifice they were making. By the time the cycle arrived in Carter Square, Belmullet, cyclists were greeted by family and friends with Brother Kevin leading the congratulations to all cyclists.”
Over the years, the cycle was supported by well-known journalists, Paul Williams and Miriam O'Callaghan, Dublin GAA players Bernard Brogan, Jimmy Keaveney and Barney Rock and Mayo GAA players David Brady and Jason Doherty. Brady cycled in 2016, a year when the route was changed to include the beautiful coastline of North Mayo - a total of 350 km.
The final event was held in 2019 and it did not resume after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The cycle highlighted the work of Brother Kevin and his volunteers in the Capuchin Day Centre," explained Fergal. "Brother Kevin gave a lifetime of commitment to the centre as its founder in 1969 until his retirement in 2022.
"The work of the centre goes on and people avail of this service every day.
"Brother Kevin will be remembered for his good work with the homeless of Dublin city, but he was forever grateful to the people of Mayo for wholeheartedly supporting the cycle and welcoming him to the county. May he rest in peace.”
