Three Donegal volunteers are enjoying a well-deserved rest after completing a remarkable cycling journey from Mizen Head to Malin Head, all in support of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Jennifer Doherty, a disability advocate, along with her tandem pilot Donal McGuinness from Dunkineely, and Stephanie Darch from Killybegs, a fellow member of the Donegal Guide Dogs branch, have collectively raised over €12,300 by conquering the 650km challenge.
The trio joined 58 other cyclists in this week-long adventure, culminating in joyous celebrations in Inishowen last Friday, coinciding with National Guide Dog Day.
Jennifer’s individual fundraising efforts have impressively covered the entire annual training cost for a guide dog.
“I’m really glad I did it,” said Jennifer, from Buncrana. “You were constantly meeting new people every day and sharing the purpose behind your ride.”
Donal and Jennifer celebrate at the finish line.
Jennifer, who has been blind since birth, has relied on guide dogs since the age of 21. She currently chairs the Irish Guide Dogs Donegal Branch.
Reflecting on the past week, Jennifer credited her rigorous training in Donegal for her success. Donal, along with Melissa Quigley and Colm Maguire, played a crucial role in helping her adapt to the tandem bike.
She said: “Overall, it wasn’t as difficult as I anticipated, thanks to the extensive hill training we did here. The hills in Kerry didn’t seem so daunting.”
The cycling group, easily identifiable in their vibrant green jerseys, garnered considerable attention throughout their journey. They received warm welcomes from volunteers, dogs, and puppies in training at each rest stop.
“There’s nothing better than a puppy cuddle in the morning before you cycle 100km!” Jennifer exclaimed.
Jennifer emphasized the tremendous generosity and encouragement they received in Donegal during the final stages of the cycle, stating: “The schools were amazing in their support. Children from Tooban National School and Scoil Iosagain gave us a fantastic boost as we approached Buncrana, and people were out at Drumfries too. We will never forget that.”
“The support in Donegal was incredible; I was so proud of the effort made by people and volunteers.”
Jennifer’s personal aspiration was to reach Malin Head and be greeted by her own dogs at the finish. Sybil, her second guide dog, is enjoying her retirement in Buncrana, while Jennifer is currently partnered with ‘Quid,’ a black Labrador.
Jennifer with guide dogs Quid and Sybil
Raising and training a single Guide or Assistance dog costs approximately €53,000, and the charity aims to positively impact the lives of 70 families in 2025.
Next on the horizon for Jennifer, who is no stranger to ambitious endeavors, is another international expedition with Jason Black Mountaineering. Later this year, she plans to climb Mera Peak, Nepal’s highest trekking peak, reaching a height of 6,654 meters. She is currently training in the gym to prepare.
Jason Black of Letterkenny has been instrumental in inspiring Jennifer to achieve a remarkable series of accomplishments in recent years. She successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro last year, trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2022, and in 2023, she made history as the first blind person to conquer Ireland’s 7 Summits.
You can still donate to support the cyclists after their Mizen to Malin challenge at https://mizen-2-malin-2025.raiselysite.com/donate
Irish Guide Dogs is also actively seeking new puppy raisers to join their growing community of volunteers in Donegal. Puppy raisers are invaluable in the early development of future Guide and Assistance Dogs, fostering calm, confident, and well-socialised behaviors. All necessary equipment, food, and veterinary expenses are covered, with ongoing support provided.
For more information on becoming a puppy raiser, please visit www.GuideDogs.ie.
The annual coffee morning in Kilcar for Irish Guide Dogs will be held on Sunday, June 8th at John Joe’s Bar from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. All are welcome!
Donegal trio raises a ‘pawsome’ sum for guide dogs! was last modified: May 30th, 2025 by
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