**Timmy Mallett Completes Epic Cycle Around Entire Coast of Ireland, Discovers Deep Family Connection**
British television personality Timmy Mallett, known for his exuberant presence on children’s programmes in the 1980s and ’90s, has successfully finished an ambitious cycling journey circumnavigating the entire island of Ireland. The entertainer set out on this remarkable 6,000km route, traversing a patchwork of coastal roads, popular greenways, and rural paths, encountering both physical and emotional milestones along the way.
Mallett, now as celebrated for his adventurous spirit as for his television career, began his Irish expedition in March of the previous year. His route initially traced the ragged coastline of Northern Ireland before swinging westward to embrace the legendary landscapes of Donegal. He cheerfully described Donegal as the “forgotten county” — a nod to its unique position as one of Ireland’s most northerly spots, yet lying within the Republic. “I love that nuttiness,” he remarked, reflecting on the quirky borders and rich local identity that characterise the region.
Having completed 550 miles through Donegal, Mallett’s thirst for discovery was not yet satisfied. Inspired by the awe-inspiring Wild Atlantic Way, he made the decision to see how much further he might pedal along this celebrated coastal route. The answer, as it turned out, was “as far as Kinsale in County Cork” — at which point a light-hearted conversation with his wife gave him both reason and permission to carry on exploring. Mrs Mallett, fully engaged with renovations at home, apparently joked that he was not yet needed back.
The journey, Mallett has said, has been “an absolute joy” and a showcase of Irish warmth. “There’s something about the kindness and generosity on this island that is really lovely. It’s profoundly gorgeous, this welcome that comes across the whole of Ireland,” he commented. He added that he’d made “a squillion new friends,” underscoring the powerful sense of community and hospitality he has encountered.
Not only was the ride a test of endurance and spirit, but it also became a journey of personal discovery. Along the way, the broadcaster uncovered a moving family link to the historic Blacksod Lighthouse in County Mayo. While at the site, Mallett learned of a direct connection between his mother, who worked on weather forecasting for the D-Day landings, and Maureen Sweeney, the local woman at Blacksod who supplied the vital weather report that shaped the historic military operation. This revelation, which linked two women supported by courage and skill during a pivotal world event, had a profound impact on Mallett.
His sense of connection to Ireland deepened with each encounter. In Dingle, he was reunited with Jimmy Flannery – a man who, 35 years ago during the filming of Wacaday, introduced him to the world-famous Dingle dolphin, Fungi. Reminiscing about those earlier adventures, Mallett found each stop along his route provided a unique window into memory and friendship.
The journey also shone a light on the island’s complex history and geography. Mallett recounted a memorable stop along the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, where he met residents living in homes so close to the border that while their front doors were technically in the UK, their gardens stretched into Ireland. This “lovely conundrum”, as he called it, is a reminder of the region’s unique ability to blend disparate identities with good humour.
Profoundly influenced by the experience, Mallett cited his late brother Martin—a person with Down’s Syndrome who refused to be defined by the condition—as his greatest inspiration. “He’d say, ‘You and me, I’m happy.’ That’s about being in the moment, celebrating the here and now of living,” Mallett observed, stressing the importance of striving to reach one’s own potential rather than seeking external validation.
On completing his ride, Mallett was met at Stormont by Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, marking the end of his Irish adventure but, as he insists, not his final chapter on the island. “I’m coming back, I love you. Keep ‘er lit. This is a gorgeous, gorgeous country,” he declared.
His journey has eloquently highlighted not only the coastal beauty and hospitality of Ireland, but also the remarkable way personal histories can emerge on the open road, connecting past and present with every turn of the wheel.