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Last Updated: Feb 15th, 2008 - 18:51:48 |
'Big Blazing Saddles Launch Party' - Pictures
By NCBI Blazing Saddles, Pictures by Peter Purfield
Feb 14, 2008,
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The recent official Launch of NCBI Blazing Saddles event programme for the year was attended by 400 supporters and friends at the recently refurbished old Jameson Distillery in Smithfield.
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| Melissa Dempsey, Maura Doyle and ray Dempsey (General Manager of old |
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| Nic Connelly, Des Kenny (CEO NCBI), Philip Cassidy (Team leader Mexico Tour) |
Many folk travelled from all four corners of Ireland for what was described by old Jameson distillery general manager ray Dempsey as one of "the best nights at the venue in years". There was a great atmosphere and a great sense of anticipation for the year ahead.
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| 'Ariel view of proceedings' |
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| Some of the Blazing Saddles gang enjoy themselves |
Presentations were made to Topflight's director Carmel O'Reilly for her company’s support of NCBI over 16 years. Tom Kelly representing Dublin Fire Brigade and Blazing Saddles received a presentation for the amazing proceeds of 150,000 euro from the sale of 'the Fire Fighters 2008 Calendar'. NCBI will receive half the proceeds.
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| John Brady, Milly Murphy and Tom Kelly (Dublin Fire Fighters) |
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| Mick Kelly Blazing Saddles and Mike Lydon of Irish Kidney Association join forces for Spanish arch to Galway Tandem Cycle in July 08. |
Eamon Duffy of NCBI said "it was a super night and a big turn out in fairness to all present. We have a varied and different programme for the year ahead. We expect a big interest for the 20th anniversary of Sean Kelly’s Vuelta Espana win in '88. Sean will lead an elite event for one week taking in the first 6 stages of this years Vuelta edition from sat. Oct. 4th to 11th. The award winning charity Tour of Ireland Cycle Challenge will have a huge overseas interest as well as home based sportif cyclists. Thailand and Mexico complete a busy year’s international programme. We have a 'Saddle' for all levels of cyclists in '08".
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| Gary Brown, Paddy Matthews (Matthews’s Coaches), Paddy Kirk and Eugenie Walsh. |
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| L to R; Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Michael Deveraux and Susan Maher |
Des Kenny CEO of NCBI said "this is a night in which NCBI can say thank you for your support and continued hand of friendship. Without our Blazing Saddles and other event participants NCBI would be a in lesser place indeed.
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| Margaret, Allison, Carol and John all NCBI staff ambassadors for the night. |
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| Gavin Allman, Marie Govern, Mary Pierce and Mick Govern. |
I enthuse folk to climb on there bikes and select from a unique and interesting programme this year. My preference is Thailand in November; it has become a very popular on/off road destination in recent years for NCBI".
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| Michael and Kim Shell and Christy Enright. |
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| Dave McEvoy and Maura Doyle |
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| Supporters enjoy the occasion in some style at old Jameson |
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| Supporters enjoy the occasion in some style at old Jameson |
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| Mick Kelly, Eamon Duffy, Mike Lydon and Dick Kelly |
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| Anita Cassidy, Ray Dempsey, Tom Kelly and Milly Murphy |
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| Michael Pomeroy and Blazing Saddles for Mexico Philip Cassidy |
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| Eamon Duffy as Master of Ceremonies |
Breaking Newsflash Blazing Saddles:
IrishCycling.com has learned exclusively today that John Fitzpatrick formerly of the Crumlin Hospital Foundation has joined NCBI and Blazing Saddles in a fulltime position. John was a key player in all of Crumlin's cycling and walking charity events for 14 years. John is well known amongst the charity cycling fraternity.
Eamon Duffy of NCBI said “John will bring huge and valued experience to NCBI. I know him for a number of years; he is a lovely man with a great and kind personality. We are aware of his success with Crumlin in his long and distinguished time with the hospital foundation. Personally, I look forward to working with john, I have no doubt we can go from strength to strength here at NCBI and blazing saddles. It is a great coup for NCBI!!"
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| Tom Kelly and Ray Dempsey yet again!! |
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| Carmel O’Reilly of Topflight, Irelands No 1 travel company and Elaine Howley, Director of Services NCBI |
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| An overview of part of the gathering |
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| Des Kenny CEO NCBI addresses the Launch at old Jameson Distillery |
Training camp; Sunday 24th, Dolmen Hotel, Carlow. All welcome!!
A training camp takes place Sunday 24th of Feb. At 'the Dolmen Hotel' open to all cyclists. Matt Dowling is the local Blazing Saddles coordinator. Matt will, as always put a great days cycling together. As its early season the cycle will be 55/60 klm long. Start time is 10.30am. All the team going to Mexico will be un attendance amongst others.
A full programme of events are listed here on www.irishcycling.com and on www.ncbi.ie the website of NCBI.
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