St Bernadette's Letterkenny receives new special mobility trike

Former Taoiseach and one of the chief negotiators of The Good Friday Agreement, Mr Bertie Ahern, has launched Ireland’s first All Island Disability Cycling Initiative for children with disabilities.

Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs Shared Island Fund, 12 children’s disability groups from both sides of the border - including St Bernadette’s School from Letterkenny - came together for the first time in The Omagh Memorial Park, Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Here, individual disability groups each were presented with a special mobility trike by Mr Ahern on behalf of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland.

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This programme which is the first of its kind to be ever introduced as a cross-border initiative for children with disabilities, allows schools/disability groups with children with disabilities to create new cross-border relationships where they can now meet up with their children so they can enjoy cycling activities together, both sides of the border of Ireland.

Variety Ireland’s “All Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships” is designed to break down barriers within communities and unite children’s disability groups both north and south of Ireland.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ahern commented: “This new cross-border cycling programme by Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland is a fantastic initiative which now provides children’s disability groups from various backgrounds both north and south of the border of Northern Ireland the opportunity to visit each other and develop new relationships.

“Not only does their special mobility trikes support inclusion and equal access to cycling for children with disabilities which is good for their physical and mental well-being, but it also creates a new network for these groups to interact and develop long-term relationships between themselves. This helps to promote greater understanding and reconciliation between families with children with disabilities from various backgrounds living in the north of Ireland and southern border counties.

“It’s simply fantastic. Great credit must go to the team of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland who for 70 years, continue to carry out tremendous work in helping children with disabilities across the island of Ireland. Recognition and thanks must also go to the team at The Department of Foreign Affairs “Shared Island Fund” for supporting Variety with this vital initiative which brings communities with children with disabilities together on both sides of the border of Northern Ireland.”

Chief Executive Officer at Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland Mr Derek O’Neill added: “This is a proud day for us here at the charity to be able to launch yet another programme that is going to benefit children and families within the disability communities.

“Our All Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships is a great way to connect disability groups from various communities on both sides of the border of Northern Ireland. Before now, these groups would have never had any real reason to socially engage with each other. Now that they are part of our network and each has a special mobility trike, they can enjoy cycling activities within their own community and visit other disability groups. It is so encouraging to see these groups already organising days out together in 2025 where they intend to travel and meet up in each of their local communities with their wonderful children for great cycling days out.

“Our charity would also like to express our sincere thanks to Mr Bertie Ahern for his continued support down through the years and let’s not forget the vital role he personally played in helping to establish long-term peace and reconciliation between communities on both sides of the border of Northern Ireland.

Thanks to Mr Ahern and all other groups involved in The Good Friday Agreement we wouldn’t be here today launching our All-Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships. Our charity would also like to thank The Department of Foreign Affairs Shared Island Fund for supporting our initiative. They do fabulous work which helps to support programmes like our “All-Ireland Disability Cycling Partnerships” which is going to have a massive impact in developing new cross-border relationships for groups with disabilities. Our charity team will be working hard to expand this programme to other disability groups in 2025.”