Former TD Ciaran Cannon has been elected as the incoming President of Cycling Ireland, following its Annual General Meeting over the weekend.
He will now take on the role of Cycling Ireland President for the next three years, as the organisation continues its development agenda and works towards the goals outlined in its Strategic Plan, released in late 2024.
A lifelong cyclist and strong advocate for improved road safety, Cannon is a former Minister for State and TD. In 2007 he was appointed to Seanad Éireann, and in 2011 he was elected to Dáil Éireann. He was re-elected in 2016, and again in 2020.
He has served as Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Diaspora and International Development, and retired from politics in November 2024.
He is also Vice President of Global Afairs and online workplace learning company Alison.com.
“Trust and integrity are things that we all hold dear,” he said. “I want to honour that trust for every day of my presidency, and I will work with you all to ensure the success of this great project. Can I say thank you to the members of my club, Seven Springs Cycling Club – the people I share the roads and the trails with for your trust in me, for nominating me. Again, I’d like to thank our outgoing president for his unstinting and wholehearted commitment to Cycling Ireland.”
He also thanked Carl Fullerton, his opponent in the election: “Without people like you, your commitment to this sport and our community, none of this is possible.”
He comes into the role to replace the outgoing Dr. Tom Daly.
Daly initially took on the role in 2022, having previously held the position of Vice President and was Secretary of Killarney Cycling Club before joining the Board of Cycling Ireland in March of 2022. Prior to that was involved in Kanturk Cycling Club in various roles for many years. He was previously Secretary of Cycling Munster.
“It was a great privilege to have been President of Cycling Ireland, especially during a period of challenge for the organisation,” he said.
“I wish to thank my colleagues on the Board for their support during my term, and I also thank the CEO, James Quilligan, for the collaborative partnership that we enjoyed.”
“I also wish to express my gratitude to the myriad of wonderful volunteers from across the island whom it was my privilege to have met during my term, and I thank them for their enthusiasm and contribution to Cycling Ireland, along with their courtesy and support to myself.”
“I congratulate Ciaran on his new role as President and I wish the best for him, and for everybody else involved with Cycling Ireland, in continuing to develop our proud organisation into the future.”
Claire Young was also re-elected to the Cycling Ireland board.
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