Cork community undertake marathon fund-raising cycle in memory of friend 

Cliff Richard had a huge hit one time with a song entitled The Young Ones. It contains a beautiful line ‘Once in every lifetime, comes a love like this’ and those few words truly sum up the life of Jeremiah Ronayne.

A larger than life figure, he lived and loved in a manner that showed his indomitable spirit and generosity.

Jeremiah loved his family, friends and neighbours in Lavally, near Mallow, and loved life in all its aspects. He was a passionate and progressive dairy farmer and involved himself in all aspects of voluntary life in his local community, but sadly lost his brave battle with cancer late last year.

I’m not sure when I first met him but ’twas probably over 40 years ago. Those were the days when Macra na Feirme -a hugely popular rural youth organisation - was flying.

Amongst the myriad of activities us Macra members partook in were debating and public speaking. Nowadays, nearly everyone who does the Leaving Cert goes on to some kind of further education. Not so in the 1970s and ’80s. For many rural dwellers -including myself and Jeremiah - Macra gave a great grounding in how to express yourself and debate an issue with confidence.

Little did I think all those years ago that decades later the Arnolds and Ronaynes would be united by a family wedding.

I’ll never forget the last occasion I saw Jeremiah - it was last November in Marymount Hospice. Lying there breathing deeply, I knew and the family knew his time on this earth was ebbing away. His fine, strong hands lay quietly, eyes closed but at peace.

I thought he’d grasp my hand in his with that firm clasp, smile and chat away, but no, that was not to be. 

Hard to imagine he’ll be gone a year from family and friends by November. The mystery of life and death is surely and truly something we cannot fathom.

There’s a verse in the Bible: ‘The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more’ - well, to be honest I wouldn’t altogether agree with these lines! People make an impression for better or for worse whilst on this earth. A man like Jeremiah Ronayne was such a force for good and for positivity that his place will not forget him, and this year and next and in decades to come he will be remembered.

After he honed his public speaking and debating skills with Macra na Feirme, he was a highly effective communicator and leader with Toastmasters International. 

He held the position of President of the Speakeasy Club in Mallow, and was instrumental in setting up Killarney Toastmasters and Canary Wharf Communicators in London.

Jeremiah’s work in Toastmasters saw him become the District Governor of Ireland and the UK. His influence in the organisation culminated in being Conference Director for an all-Ireland/UK event held in Mallow, attended by over 500 delegates. No mean achievement, but something he took in his stride -the greater good rather than personal gain was always his mantra

The huge loss experienced by a group of Jeremiah’s farmer friends has led them to take on the challenge of cycling from Malin Head in Donegal to Mizen Head in Cork to raise funds for Marymount Hospice where Jeremiah and his family received such wonderful care.

Some 26 members of Jeremiah’s community have been out cycling the highways and byways of North Cork to get fit and ready for the epic challenge, which starts in Donegal this Saturday.

Every parish and community produces a once in a generation local hero and Jeremiah was such a man. There’s an old saying, ‘If you want something done - ask a busy person’, and that was a trait well displayed in his all too short life.

He was not someone to shy away from a challenge, especially one that involved physical activity, purpose - and above all fun. Cycling the length of Ireland requires all those things: almost 700km of physical exercise, a target of raising €50,000 for Marymount, and all in a spirit of enjoyment. Munster Bovine of Mallow have come on board as main sponsor.

Jeremiah’s community involvement extended beyond farming. One of his great passions was the GAA, and especially his beloved Clyda Rovers. As with all his endeavours, he brought huge energy, community spirit and positivity to the club.

When his own children became involved with the GAA, Jeremiah took on the role of chairman of Clyda’s juvenile club. From 2012 to 2014, he was chairman of the adult club, a time when Clyda won County and Munster intermediate football titles.

Jeremiah’s second stint as club chairman was from 2019 until the time of his illness in 2022. Clyda made their own bit of history in 2019, when they took the Avondhu junior hurling title for the first time in 30 years! These were all proud moments for Jeremiah, and none was prouder than to see his nephew and Clyda player, Ray Carey, win an All-Ireland football medal in 2010 with Cork along with Paudie Kissane, another Clyda stalwart.

Every community initiative which enhanced the quality of life in the area had Jeremiah as an ardent supporter, organiser and fundraiser. 

He was strong man mentally and physically, and those strengths came from an inner belief in doing the right things for the right reasons. He is missed terribly, not just by Betty and the wider family circle, but by so, so many who were proud to say, ‘I was a friend of Jeremiah Ronayne’ - and that friendship was for life.

The goal of the fundraising initiative is to not only raise funds for Marymount Hospice, but also to honour the memory of Jeremiah. 

His smile, his helping hand, his strong shoulder to lean on, and his wise words to lift our spirits - yes, we were lucky to have known such a man.

Marymount University Hospital and Hospice provides specialist palliative care services and services for the care of dependent older people. It traces its origins back to 1870 when it was established by the Religious Sisters of Charity in Cork. The original hospital was on the north side of the city on Wellington Road. The service relocated in 2011 to a purpose-built, modern, high-quality facilities in Curraheen.

Speaking on behalf of the group of Mallow farmers who have embarked on this fundraiser, Tony O’Regan said: “We are very appreciative of the sponsorship received to date from businesses, from friends and the wider community. All funds will go directly to Marymount and all expenses involved are covered by the cyclists. The aim is to raise €50,000 and what a fitting tribute it would be to our wonderful friend Jeremiah if we could reach this target.”

The intrepid 26 cyclists will make their way from North Cork to Donegal early next Saturday. Ballyliffin will be their first overnight stop. On Sunday, it will be Ballybofey, on Monday it’s Ballinamore in Leitrim. The Tuesday night stopover is in Birr. The Rebel County will be the destination on Wednesday - in Charleville - followed by the ‘semi final’ leg to Bantry on Thursday and the journey’s end on Friday, September 6 with an emotional Finish at Mizen Head.

Best of luck to all, and safe cycling.

Donations to this worthy cause can be made at this Idonate link: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/MallowFarmers.