A BIGHEARTED woman and her loving family are putting the final touches to a sponsored cycle from Mizen to Malin to raise funds for Donegal Down Syndrome.
Ronan Roddy sadly passed away at Donegal Hospice in January 2023.
His sister Louise is the daughter of Philip and Pauline Roddy, from Stranorlar, and began the cycle yesterday (Wednesday) for the association that is very close to the Roddy family.
Louise fondly remembered her late brother Ronan and described herself: “I’m his baby sister.”
She was speaking from Letterkenny’s award-winning Mac’s Deli, where Ronan worked for 26 years and where his photo proudly hangs on the wall.
Memories of Ronan are soon flowing in the busy cafe – which was named in Letterkenny Chamber’s 2025 Hall of Fame Awards – as Louise talks about her brother with pride.
From laughing out loud to whispering about some of the devilment that Ronan got up to right through to shedding a few tears such was the charisma that this young man had.
Ronan was next to Louise in the family followed by their late sister Adeen who sadly passed away at the age of 21 in a road traffic incident.
The oldest in the family is Ronan’s brother Timothy.
Louise is going with a team of 10 cyclists from Finn Wheelers.
Charlene Mc Neill, who is the vice principal at St Columba’s in Glenties Comprehensive, intends to raise funds for the development of an Astroturf pitch at the school with the same team.
Louise is also a vice-principal and teaches at Bruckles National School.
She is attempting this fundraising trip for the second time.
Last year she had to pull out due to her back giving trouble.
She said: “This year, with the help of Finn Wheelers, they have changed the way I look at this challenge.
“They have trained with us, they have advised us on nutrition, to eat the right food and when to eat it. So this year I feel I’m in a better place.
“Ronan would have loved to be part of this. He was a great man to get involved in different things over the years
“He had a very positive attitude. He would have flags and banners organised for me. When he was training to take part in his own Belfast Marathon, I was involved in his training, his determination was there all his life.
“My parents were always very focused on Ronan being his own person and have his own independence.
“The Donegal Down Syndrome Association, which I’m doing this cycle for, did amazing work with Rowan over his lifetime.
“Eunan and Rachel McIntyre at Mac’s Deli gave Ronan the chance to have an independent life. He came in on work experience before becoming a full time member of staff.
“Ronan Roddy never had to set a clock to get up in 26 years of service with Macs Deli on the High Road. That was the love that Ronan had to go to his work.
“He got the bus every morning from Stranorlar to Letterkenny, to go to work, to meet people, to have chats, to promote Finn Harps, to have tea breaks, to get up to devilment with his ’second family’ that was the staff of Mac’s.”
Sitting up in the corner of Mac’s last Friday, catching up with Ronan’s workmates and his friends, Louise will be hoping she will feel the encouragement of her brother in her ear on her planned five-day journey.
Last month had mixed memories for the Roddy family.
It’s was always a big month for birthdays for Ronan and his mother Pauline.
Ronan would have been 48 on June 17 past and his mother’s birthday followed last Saturday, June 27.
Sadly, last Sunday was the anniversary of Adeen passing.
So this time of year, the family is remembering both Ronan and Adeen and also celebrate their lives.
Louise is overwhelmed by the support she has received so far.
Kia Cabs are supplying transport for the run and CNG Haulage has sponsored fuel for the journey.
Louise said: “We’ve just past the €6,000 mark, which is amazing. People are so good, people that I haven’t met in years, friends of Ronan, even people that have met my mum and dad on holidays have all made contact.
“I am very proud of my brother Ronan and the effort he has made to lead a normal independent life.
“I’m overjoyed to get the opportunity to give something back to Donegal Down Syndrome that have helped so many families like ours over the years.”
For donations, please see the www.idonate.iefundraiserlouiseroddy website.
Louise Roddy pictured in training with Finn Wheelers as she prepares for her cycle.