Breizh: Irish cyclist ‘Hits The Road’ to highlight reunification issue

An Irish cycling enthusiast who lives in Devon in the UK has come up with an original way to highlight the call for the reunification of Brittany.
Historic Brittany, which consists of five ‘departments’, was partioned in 1941 and the ‘department’ of Loire-Atlantique was separated.
For many years now Breton nationalists have called for the 5 sections of the country to be reconstituted as part of the 5/5 campaign:
‘Marten Gallagher will visit all five Breton ‘departments’ – similar to English counties – on his five-day adventure in June.
Marten said the journey began as a ‘personal challenge’, which soon became a ride of support for Breizh 5/5, an organisation wishing to see all five of Brittany’s original departements reunited.
The ICT support manager at Great Torrington Bluecoat Primary School, said: “Since 1956 Brittany has been without departement number 44, Loire-Atlantique, and one of the ancient capitals of Brittany: the city of Nantes.
“Riding with specially designed cycling jersey, I will be met at St Malo by members of Breizh 5/5, who will see me on my way to meet local mayors in some of the towns along the route.”
Marten first met members of Breizh 5/5 at a festival in Brittany, and the five days will see him cycling from St Malo to Pontivy and Plouay, and on to Rennes and Soulvache before returning, five days later, to St Malo and the Portsmouth ferry.
Marten added: “I am Irish and so I empathise with the desire for a united homeland and I love cycling in Brittany.’
Full article at these links:
Saint-Malo. Un Irlandais pédale pour une Bretagne à cinq départements – Bretagne – LeTelegramme.fr
Weare Giffard cyclist takes on 500km journey across Brittany
BERNARD MOFFATT
Public Relations Officer Mannin Branch
Issued by: The Mannin branch of the Celtic League.
30/05/17