Seamus Kennedy - friend, cyclist, mentor, educator

Dear sir - On 21st January 2000, the then Minister for Education and Science launched the National Reading Initiative to raise awareness in the public of the importance of reading in all aspects of our daily life. Grants totalling up to €6000 per school were to be made available to improve literary skills. At that time I was teaching in the three schools in Bohermeen parish. I had a moment of inspiration and decided we could use some of that fund to further literary skills in our schools. So over the next few weeks with the assistance of colleagues we drew up a series of initiatives to improve literacy in our schools. Our application was sanctioned and we received the grant. One of these initiatives was to introduce a cycling skills programme in the the three schools. Being involved with Bohermeen Cycling Club meant I was interacting with pupils through the club. So with help from Cycling Ireland, Seamus and Michael Kennedy, Philip Cassidy, local Gardai and Cycling Club, the skills programme was set up and is still running in the schools. Seamus had mentored and coached the club in the 1990s so he was known to some of the pupils through club activities. He gave a number of presentations to the senior classes on topics such as sport and education, safety, road behaviour skills, diet and the importance of sleep and recreation. He stressed the importance of not over exercising in their enthusiasm to win races. He also encouraged pupils to partake in other sports such as Gaelic football, hurling and camogie, emphasising the importance of team sports, and belonging and playing your part with the team. Most important of all he emphasised the importance of continuing in education and having a career, trade or some such skill to fall back on if the sporting career didn't work out, be it through injury or other circumstance. Seamus continued to be closely associated with our club and took a keen interest in our cycling activities. He was particularly delighted this year to hear Christopher Reilly, one of our club members will take part in the RAS joining the Stamullen team. Let's hope he will continue to mentor from above. We have lost a true friend and a gentleman. Yours, Anne McGuire Bohermeen Cycling Club.