After 20 months cycling across three continents, Ellie O’Byrne and Mark Graham are making their way home to Waterford. But no round-the-world adventure would be complete without a few familiar faces, good music and a stop in North Kerry! On Tuesday, October 13th, the couple brought their extraordinary journey to Mike the Pies in Listowel, where their longstanding connection with proprietor Aiden O’Connor made the venue a natural stop on their homeward route.
A 31,000km Cycle Across the World
Inspired by the late Irish travel writer Dervla Murphy, Ellie and Mark set off from Tramore in February 2025 on ordinary bicycles. Since then, they have covered more than 31,000km through Europe, Central Asia, China, Southeast Asia, Japan and North America. For their final 900km around Ireland, they’ve chosen to reconnect with the music venues and communities that mean something to them, including Whelan’s in Dublin, the Róisín Dubh in Galway and, of course, Listowel’s own Mike the Pies.
Mark, a former member of Waterford band King Kong Company, has longstanding ties to Ireland’s live music scene, making these stops particularly fitting as the couple bring their adventure towards its conclusion.
Live Music Legends
For years, Aiden O’Connor has been putting Listowel firmly on Ireland’s live music map, transforming a North Kerry pub into one of the country’s most respected independent venues while keeping its local character and community spirit at its heart. That Mike the Pies features alongside some of Ireland’s most iconic music venues on this remarkable homeward journey says plenty about the reputation Aiden has built, the friendships formed through music and the reach of a rural North Kerry town.
Giving Back to Young People
Travelling under the name Spoke Yokes, Ellie and Mark are also raising funds for four Irish community organisations that refurbish bicycles for young people.
Their adventure will finish where it began, on the Promenade in Tramore, with approximately 32,500km completed. From the far side of the world to a familiar welcome in Listowel, it’s a reminder of how music, friendship and community connects people across — and how a small North Kerry venue can leave a lasting impression far beyond its own doorstep.
