The Irish Challenge was to teams of four to cycle in relay over 500 miles in three days from Blarney Castle in south west Ireland to Dublin raising a minimum of £1000 for charity. 

Leaving Swansea for Cork by overnight ferry on the evening of Wednesday 29th September 2010, teams had a chance to kiss the Blarney stone before heading west through superb countryside to the rugged Atlantic coast and the famed Ring of Kerry, finishing the first day at Killarney in time for a ceilidh. Day two took teams north over hilly terrain with stunning views across to the coast featured in the film "Ryan's Daughter", crossing the Shannon and hugging the coast with its magnificent 700 ft high Cliffs of Moher, before spending an atmospheric night in wonderful Galway. The final day took teams south of Lough Derg with a run-in to Dublin across the Slieve Bloom Mountains for a finish at magnificent Russborough House.  The final night party celebrated a marvellous achievement at the shrine of Guinness in their Storehouse, with 360 degree views of Dublin from their Gravity Bar and an excellent meal accompanied by a superb ceilidh band. Teams returned to Wales via Holyhead on the morning of Sunday 3rd October.

The "Spirit of the Challenge" was more evident than ever this year and was personified by John Reilly and his team, Reilly's Rogues who won this coveted award.  The "Most Entertaining Team" award went to the Chrome Domes who completed the challenge on a specially prepared five wheeler and a butchers bike in leprechaun costumes.  They were closely followed by the Dabbawallas who started on a specially prepared tiffin delivery bike flown in from Mumbai by Jet Airways.  The "Good Samaritans" award went jointly to Rixonway Kitchens and Rocky's Roadstars while the Merit Trophy went to 77 year old Peter Dye of Never Say Dye and the final award, the Challenge Trophy went to Paul Broach's Thrusting Bucks for raising £6925, the largest amount by any team in last year's Alpine Challenge. 

Teams were made up of "extra"ordinary people rising to a physical challenge raising money for charities through personal and corporate sponsorship.  They needed the legs and stamina to ride their share of 500 miles and each team has committed to raise £1000 for charity, half of which can be donated to a charity of the team's choice.   Many teams have raised a lot more and currently the Wheeling Dealers are in the lead for next year's Challenge Trophy having looked to have raised over £10,000.   The entry fee of £1200 paid by the teams covered the cost of Irish Sea ferry travel including outbound cabin and B&B accommodation in Ireland plus evening meals provided in Killarney and Dublin, so that 100% of sponsorship raised by the teams goes directly to charity.  CAC is run entirely voluntarily and has no paid staff. 

Whilst teams can donate half of what they raise to a charity of their own choice, the remainder will be donated to Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation.   This year’s Challenge was dedicated to Tony O’ Connell (see side panel).