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Irish Egg Run
What originally started out in the early noughties as
a light-hearted, fun gesture to lift the spirits of young
patients separated from their families during Easter at Our
Ladies Childrens’ Hospital, by presenting them with Easter
eggs, has grown into a massive countrywide fundraising
campaign that has so far raised over €150,000 for the
hospital’s Medical Research Department.
I
n the early years, Damien Reddin was
one of its most vocal and enthusiastic
fundraisers and it was only a natural
progression for him to end up at the helm as
the chief organiser, keeping the event team
running smoothly (although we’re not sure
if the scary bunny costume which adorned
him in the early years frightened some of
the team away). Damian is now blessed
with growing a young family of his own and
because of his new priorities he decided last
year to take a well-earned break, so this year
the rest of the team simply pulled together to
keep things moving forward in his absence.
The Egg Run has had many start points, end
points and route changes, but in more recent
times its home was the picturesque town of
Bray, Co Wicklow, a quintessential 19th century
seaside town nicknamed the ‘Brighton of
Ireland’. Its main features have remained virtually
unchanged since the golden era of seaside
towns, making it the ideal host due to its beauty,
and the warm sea breeze of faux nostalgia
and romanticism created by the strong cultural
connection between Mods and similar seaside
towns back in the 60s. This year however,
scheduled restoration works at the Victorian
bandstand (the main seafront focal point and
also the Egg Run start point) threw a spanner in
the planning works, so a new start point had to
be found. Rather than stick a plaster on it and
subject participants to the boring grey dullness of
an uninspiring backstreet supermarket car parkas an alternative, the organisers decided to treat
participants to something a little different. After
running through various options, Blessington
Lakes were chosen, thanks to their proximity
and the awe-inspiring ‘lake drive’, a route which
circumnavigates the 5000 acre-plus man-made
Poulaphouca reservoir, and meanders through
historic villages, all enveloped by some of the
most magnificent natural beauty you’ll ever have
the privilege of passing through.
Once you had mastered the art of being safely
distracted by the views, there followed a more
leisurely than usual jaunt towards Dublin, before
being slapped in the face with the jaw-dropping
panorama of Dublin as the convoy descended
Balinascorney Hill, arriving at the new finish
point at the Spawell Complex. Here, the usual
afternoon activities and indoor custom show
ensued before making way for the night-time do.
Revellers let what was left of their hair down to
party until the small hours to the eclectic mix of
stomping floor fillers dispensed from the pulpit
by DJs Pat Steacy, Alan Mullins, Martin Bradshaw,
Ray Gilligan and Darren Glennon.
The final tally for funds raised isn’t in yet,
because the scooter raffle is still running, but
it’ll most likely be available after this issue
goes to print.
Steve McHempage
Dublin Scooter ClubMore images from this event can be found
online at http://www.classicscooterist.comSaturday, April 27, 2019C
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