Sixty people from Kilmacud Crokes Cycling Club aka “The KC Wheelers” will take to Ireland’s roads later this month for the 2026 Nissan Mizen to Malin Cycle Challenge, raising vital funds for Breast Cancer Ireland, the country’s leading breast cancer charity – and honouring the deeply personal story that helped inspire the event from the very beginning.
Taking place from Wednesday 27th May to Sunday 31st May, the gruelling 670km journey from Ireland’s most southerly point in West Cork to Malin Head in Donegal will once again see members of Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club push themselves to the limit in support of Breast Cancer Ireland and the Kilmacud Crokes Development Fund.
At the heart of the challenge is event co-founder Paul Gallagher, who lost his wife Marie to breast cancer, leaving him to raise their three young daughters alone. A longstanding board member of Breast Cancer Ireland, Paul has helped to grow the Mizen to Malin challenge into one of the charity’s most successful community fundraising initiatives, with more than €780,000 raised to date across previous cycles.
What began as a fundraising challenge among friends and clubmates has evolved into a powerful bi-annual show of solidarity for families impacted by breast cancer across Ireland. One such inspirational lady is Muireann McColgan, a Breast Cancer Ireland Patient Supporter, who was diagnosed with Stage 4, incurable breast cancer, aged just 37, two weeks after her daughter was born. Muireann herself will also be partaking in this awesome challenge.
This year’s determined group of cyclists will depart Glenalbyn in Dublin – home of KC Wheelers – at 4:30am by bus, before beginning the challenge at Mizen Head on Wednesday 27th May, travelling north along Ireland’s western coastline over five demanding days before reaching Malin Head on Sunday 31st May.
Among those taking part once again is Professor Arnie Hill, Chairman of Breast Cancer Ireland, Professor of Surgery at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and Beaumont Hospital. While Prof Hill has completed the full route previously, this year he will undertake part of the journey alongside the cyclists in support of the cause.
Speaking at the official launch of the challenge, Professor Hill said:
“Every year I’m inspired by the extraordinary commitment shown by the cyclists who take on this challenge in support of Breast Cancer Ireland. While I’ll only be joining for part of the route this year, I know first-hand the determination and camaraderie involved in getting from Mizen to Malin. What makes this event particularly special is the very personal motivation behind it — especially Paul and Muireann’s own stories, which remind us all exactly why fundraising for research and improved patient outcomes matters so much. The funds raised through challenges like this help to drive pioneering research, better treatments and ultimately better futures for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Essentially, helping us to re-write the future of breast cancer in Ireland’
Aisling Hurley, CEO of Breast Cancer Ireland, added:
“The Nissan Mizen to Malin Cycle Challenge has become an incredibly important fundraising event for Breast Cancer Ireland, but beyond the kilometres and the physical endurance involved, it is rooted in something far more meaningful — people coming together to create positive change from personal loss and lived experience. Paul Gallagher’s courage, resilience and ongoing commitment to Breast Cancer Ireland has inspired so many people over the years, both within Kilmacud Crokes and far beyond it. We are enormously grateful to every cyclist, volunteer, supporter and sponsor helping to make this year’s challenge possible.”
The challenge is kindly supported once again by Nissan Ireland, who have sponsored the event since its inception, including providing cycling gear for all participants.
Each cyclist covers their own travel, accommodation and food costs while also committing to raising a minimum sponsorship amount in support of both Breast Cancer Ireland and Kilmacud Crokes Development Fund.
To support the cyclists and Breast Cancer Ireland donate directly via the event fundraising link below:
The Nissan M2M Challenge Fundraising Campaign 2026
