Timmy Mallett: TV presenter cycles around NI's 'hidden gems'
- Published
Timmy Mallett visited Stormont on his cycle around Northern Ireland
The television presenter Timmy Mallett has described experiencing Northern Ireland's "hidden gems" as he cycles around the UK and Ireland.
The 68-year-old is raising funds in memory of his late brother Martin, who had Down's Syndrome.
Mallett set off from Paddington Station in London last year, making his way around the coast of Britain.
Over five thousand miles later, he made it to Northern Ireland for the latest leg of his pedal-powered pilgrimage.
Mallett rose to fame in the 1980s, presenting popular children's programmes such as Wide Awake Club, which later became known as Wacaday, and Around the World in 80 Seconds.
In 2008, Mallett appeared in British grime artist Skepta's music video for 'Do The Rolex Sweep' before becoming a contestant in the jungle for ITV's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
Timmy Mallett Joined Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2 in 2020
For his circumnavigation of Northern Ireland, Mallett began in Belfast and made his way clockwise down the Ards Peninsula, across Strangford Lough and towards Armagh where he met the archbishop, The Most Reverend Francis John McDowell.
It was in the cathedral city that Mallett experienced one of the highlights of his trip so far, as he witnessed the final of the Tassagh 'Bol fada' (known locally as road bullets) between Cork's Aidan Murphy and Armagh champion Thomas Mackle.
Bolfada, or road bowling, is an old Irish sport where competitors toss a metal ball along a stretch of country road in the fewest amount of throws possible.
Mallett filmed his reaction to the event which he described as "profoundly dangerous" and "thrilling" and said in a video: "People have come from everywhere, this is serious business."
Speaking to BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster on Tuesday, Mallett added: "I've never seen road bowling before, but my goodness me, I am a convert. Sign me up, I want to have a go!"
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Timmy Mallett visited the Showgrounds, home of Newry City FC
As well as having a colourful career in the entertainment industry, Mallett is also an award-winning artist and has has been documenting his cycling adventure through a series of watercolour paintings.
"One of the things I like to do, to be in the moment, is to stop and get the sketchbook out and sketch what I'm looking at," he said.
Timmy Mallett's watercolour painting of the Tassagh Viaduct in County Armagh
'A delightful route'
While the weather has not been too kind, Mallett said the people he has met have been.
He explained some had travelled over 50 miles to try and find him on his journey to wish him well.
"People turn up just to say hello to me, to give a bit of support and encouragement along the way. This is a delightful route," he said.
"I'm into my third county of the six counties of Northern Ireland now and I'm really enjoying exploring these hidden gems."