By Dionne Meehan
WELL-KNOWN TV personality Timmy Mallett has had a busy week exploring Ireland’s ‘forgotten county’ as his pedal-powered pilgrimage nears an end.
Best known for presenting popular children’s programmes such as Wide Awake Club, Wacaday and Around the World in 80 Seconds, the 68-year-old has spent the past few months cycling around the UK in memory of his late brother Martin.
Setting off from Paddington Station in London last year, Timmy’s mission was to spread awareness while urging more to “live in the here and now”, just like his brother did.
But little did he know the finish line lay on the Emerald Isle!
Timmy Mallett finally reaches the finish line in Donegal after cycling over 5,000 miles around Ireland and the UK. Photo: Timmy Mallett’s Facebook
Following four and a half months of cycling around the coast of Britain, it was much to Timmy’s shock when he realised he had left out a part of the UK.
“I looked at the map and saw that I had missed a bit of the UK, which was Northern Ireland,” Timmy said.
Taking his own advice and living in the moment, he travelled to Ireland in March to complete the last leg of his journey.
However, when Timmy arrived in the town of Pettigo a few weeks ago, he was faced with much confusion.
Documenting his journey on TikTok, Timmy gave his followers a lesson on the town which “spans the border”.
“This is the town of Pettigo in County Donegal,” Timmy said pointing his camera to the left.
“And this is the town of Pettigo in County Fermanagh,” he said pointing his camera in the opposite direction.
“A town that spans the border, it is in both,” he said.
And as he continued to post throughout the day, his videos seemed to all share a similar theme.
Meeting some fans along the way, Timmy visited Ann who is living in Clady, on the border.
Despite Ann’s house being built in the United Kingdom, her garden is in Donegal, in the Republic of Ireland.
“That is bonkers,” Timmy said.
Facing many issues, Ann told Timmy of the struggle she faced trying to get her bins emptied by Donegal County Council as rubbish wasn’t allowed to cross the border.
She also struggled to get her post delivered.
“She gets her electric from what she called the “Free State” and she gets her water from Strabane,” Timmy said.
“She carries sterling and euro in her purse and it is just part and parcel of how she lives there,” he said.
Fascinated by the “joyous” county from his brief, previous visit while cycling 750 miles around Northern Ireland, Timmy thought it was “only fair” to revisit Donegal before returning home.
Aiming to explore as much of the county as possible, Timmy has now visited Carndonagh, Buncrana, Letterkenny, Ramelton, Rathmullan, Fanad, Dunfanaghy and much more!
“I am enjoying the hospitality, the friendly welcome and I am loving people stopping and saying hello,” he said.
If you are interested in finding out where Timmy visits next you can follow his journey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @timmymallet
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