Dundalk cycling club celebrate 90th anniversary

As part of Cuchulainn Cycling Club's 90th anniversary celebrations, over 30 members met up in Roden Place to replicate the first official outing of the club in 1935.

The Dundalk club was formed in 1935 following a meeting in Forrester's Hall, and the first club outing for cyclists saw 25 members meet up and set off from Kelly's Monument in Roden Place.

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It was great to see a similar number of hardy Cuchulainn CC cyclists meeting up in the cold and rain to remember the early members who were the catalyst for cycling in Dundalk and the North East.

The club is one of the oldest clubs in the country, but it is the oldest club that has hosted cycling races uninterrupted since its foundation. The Trader's Cup, Leinster Championships and other races have featured on its race card since 1935.

From its earliest days, the club has had great success, from founding member and Secretary Jack McCann and Racing Captain Paddy Faulkner regularly stepping up on the podium in the 1930s, to Ciara Kinch winning the Women's National Masters Championships earlier this year, and Jimmy Flynn regularly taking Masters podiums nationally and abroad.

And not forgetting Johnny McCabe, who won a rainbow jersey when he became M60 World CX Champion in 2024.

Much has changed since the early days of cycling in the county, but what hasn't changed is the enjoyment of taking to the roads under your own power and spending time on the roads or hills of this great county.

The next club celebration is our Dinner Dance to celebrate their 90th anniversary, which takes place on Saturday, 1st November in the Gateway Hotel. Tickets are available from Chairperson Francis Lafferty or Jason Boyle.