The Legends of Bray Wheelers

Episode 1 – Phil O’Brien

Welcome to the legends of Bray Wheelers audio series. In this Episode you’ll hear our evening with Phil O’Brien recorded in Duffs Pub in Bray early in late 2023.

Phil a true legend of Irish Cycling. A member of Bray Wheelers from his early teens, a National Mass Start champion, a Tour of Ireland winner, a member of the tripartite executive responsible for uniting Irish Cycling and Vice president of the Irish Cycling Federation and Life President of Bray Wheelers.

Mark Murphy and Paul O’Neill from Bray Wheelers sat down with Phil to talk through his life in cycling and the early days of Bray Wheelers. We were joined by Phil’s son Ed with Ciaran Mulligan on sound.

There are 3 parts to listen to, click the links below. Click the links below to hear each episodes.

Part 1

In this first part Phil discusses his early life and how he got into cycling, a shiny red flamboyant bike that got him going at 13, joining committees as a 16 year old. Other legends Tommy Fitzpatrick and Harry Dawson feature, and mixing with the English teams in the big events.

Spotify

In this episode we find out more about the original Bray Wheelers club house, wearing your jacket and beret out on the spin for lunch, the Bray races and becoming an National Champion, Wimpy, the 1970 Tour of Ireland and the emergence of Peter Doyle.

Part 2

Spotify

Part 3 – Available September 12th

The emergence of interval training, the team ethos and becoming one of the most respected commissar in Irish Cycling, the young Sean Kelly, Harry Dawson and the Gap of Mamore. The division in Irish Cycling in the from the 1950’s to the early 1970’s