TV’s Timmy Mallett meets Taoiseach at Cork pit stop

It says something about British TV presenter, artist, and 2024 I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here contestant Timmy Mallett, currently cycling around Ireland, that his first stop in Cork was to meet the Taoiseach.

First coming to prominence in the early 1980s with TVAM’s Wide Awake Club, and its spin-off Wacaday, the veteran broadcaster is now reaching a new generation as he cycles around Ireland and documents his journey in paintings and posts on “me socials”.

Arriving in Belfast “at the tail end of March”, he headed across the North, through Lurgan and Portadown, and down to Donegal along the Wild Atlantic Way.

“I’ve carried along down the coast and, nearly two months later, I arrived down to Kinsale. Here I am in Cork,” he said.

Mr Mallett stopped at Mahon Point at the weekend, where he met Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

“That was an interesting meeting. He hopped on my bike, and he was telling me he’s a big supporter of greenways. He’s a thoroughly nice man, the Taoiseach,” he said.

“We had some things to share on inspiration, because I’ve been inspired on my journey by my brother Martin who had Down syndrome. Martin would say: ‘You and me, I’m happy’ — which refers to the nowness of living,” he said.

“And that’s what this bike ride is about: Enjoying the here and now of life.

“Martin has influenced me profoundly. I carry him in my heart every day, and I always think to myself: ‘How would Martin approach this?’”

Mr Mallett said he had been enjoying his time in Cork, stopping in Timoleague and staying in Cobh.

His time in Ireland had moved him greatly, and he had made many friends along the road.

“There’s a kindness and a generosity in Ireland which is utterly adorable, and it’s something I’m very aware of every day.”